Radocsay Dénes - Gerevich Lászlóné szerk.: A Szépművészeti Múzeum közleményei 31. (Budapest,1968)

BOTHMER, DIETRICH von: An Amphora'by Exekias

Dionysos occurs on only five or six other vases by Exekias, of which the most memorable is perhaps the inside of the cup in Munich that shows Dionysos in his boat.

21 On a neck-amphora in London

22 he holds out his kantharos in his right hand to be filled by Oinopion. He is also one of the company of gods seated with Herakles in Olympus,

23 and, though half obscured, his presence can be made out in the apotheosis of Herakles on another amphora in Orvieto.

24 His company has been conjectured for the apotheosis on the calyx-krater in the Agora

25 that has satyrs in the space between each handle-root and nymphs seated on vines in the space above the handles. I have not seen the fragment in Reggio, attributed by Beazley in Paralipomena. The Budapest amphora is unique among the preserved vases that are securely attributed to Exekias, in that it shows Dionysos surrounded by satyrs and maenads. Unique, but not surprising, for his contemporaries and forerunners frequently show Dionysos in such scenes. Here comparisons with Group E and the painters near Group E are particularly rewarding, for it is against the background of Group E that the specific compositional and stylistic advances of Exekias can be measured. In the twenty-odd vases by paint21 ABV p. 146, no. 21. 22 ABV p. 144, no. 7. 2:j ABV p. 144, no. 9. 24 ABV p. 145, no. 11. 25 ABV p. 145, no. 19. 12/c Amphora by Exekias, obverse. Budapest, Museum of Fine Arts