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Greek Mythology >> Galleries >> Greek Vase Paintings 7 >> T1.7

T1.7 THE BIRTH OF ERICHTHONIUS

Birth of Erichthonius | Attic red figure vase painting
DETAILS
Museum Collection Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond
Catalogue No. Richmond 81.70
Beazley Archive No. 10158
Ware Attic Red Figure
Shape Krater, Calyx
Painter Attributed to the Manner of Kadmos Painter
Date ca. 405 - 395 B.C.
Period Classical

DESCRIPTION

Gaea (the Earth) hands her newborn son Erichthonius over to the foster-care of the goddess Athena. Gaea is depicted as crowned, matronly woman partially risen from the earth, inseparable from her native element. Athena wears a helm and the serpent-trimmed aegis cape, and is accompanied by a flying owl carrying an olive wreath. In the upper left hand corner Hermes observes the scene from heaven. Athena's handmaiden, the winged goddess Nike (Victory), carries her mistress' spear and shield. Aphrodite is seated below her holding a royal sceptre.

IMAGE DETAIL

Gaea & Erichthonius | Attic red figure vase painting

Detail of Gaea and the infant Erichthonius.

ARTICLES

Gaea, Athena, Hermes, Nike, Aphrodite