Red-Figure Neck Hydria Attributed to the Harrow Painter Attic, about 470 B.C. Joseph Veach Noble Collection Tampa Museum of Art (86.70)

This hydria provides an illustration of everyday life in ancient Greece and is an excellent example of why we are able to understand how the Greeks lived. The architectural structure serves as a frame around the figures of the people and shows us some of the elements of the classical style, including Doric triglyphs and metopes and Ionic style columns.

The scene is one of a woman sitting in her portico receiving visitors. Three ages of men are represented: a boy, a young man who is probably an athlete, and an old man who walks with a cane. The bag held by the older man could either contain money or perhaps knucklebones, a popular Greek game. Above the woman's head hangs an alabastron, or perfume bottle, and she holds in her hand either a fan or a mirror.

This project funded through grants from the Junior League of Tampa, Inc. and the State of Florida, Division of Cultural Affairs, Arts in Education Program.

Tom Kettner