Ancient Greek Art: Pygmies & Cranes

Pygmy battling crane | Greek vase, Athenian red figure

"The cranes escape the winter time and the rains unceasing and clamorously wing their way to streaming Okeanos, bringing the Pygmaioi men bloodshed and destruction." - Homer, Iliad 3.3

T92.1 PYGMAIOS BATTLING CRANE

Museum Collection: State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg, Russia
Catalogue Number: St Petersburg B1818
Beazley Archive Number: 204087
Ware: Attic Red Figure
Shape: Figure vase head
Painter: Attributed to the Brygos Painter
Date: --
Period: Classical

SUMMARY

A Pygmy warrior, depicted a man with dwarfism, battles a crane. He grabs it by the neck, preparing to beat it over the head with a club.

ARTICLESPygmaioi