.
Greek Mythology >> Galleries >> Greek Vase Paintings 8 >> T40.8

T40.8 THE PURIFICATION OF ORESTES

Purification of Orestes | Apulian red figure vase painting
DETAILS
Museum Collection Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Catalogue No. Boston 1976.144
Beazley Archive No. N/A
Ware Apulian Red Figure
Shape Krater, Bell
Painter Close to the Judgement Painter
Date ca. 370 - 360 B.C.
Period Late Classical

DESCRIPTION

Orestes is purified of the crime of matricide at the shrine of Delphi. The hero seeks sanctuary at the holy omphalos stone which sits on a pedestal beneath the skull of an ox. He is flanked by the gods Athena and Apollo. Athena wears a crested helm and aegis cloak, and holds a spear in her hand. Apollo is crowned with laurel and holds a pair of arrows in one hand and a laurel-branch in the other. The Erinyes (Furies) of Clytemnestra recline in restful slumber, stilled by the ritual of the god. They are dressed as huntresses with knee-length skirts, boots and hunting spears.

ARTICLES

Erinyes, Athena, Apollo