Who's Who Ancient Greece: The Arts

Polygnotos (5th century BC)

Painting

So highly regarded is the work of this painter that some believe that the art of painting began with him. He was born on the north Aegean island of Thasos, son of the painter, Aglaophon.

He travelled and lived in many cities, including Athens, Plataea, Delphi and Thespies. None of his works have survived, and, as with Zevxis, we know of them only ancient texts which describe his new forms and new techniques for conveying space and depth.

Aristotle praised his depiction of character (using the word 'ethos') in his figures , which manifested emotion in an exceptional manner, as did Aelianos, a Roman Sophist who wrote in Greek; Lucian praised the great detail in which he painted the garments of his figures. Pliny remarked on his innovations, such as the painting of female figures in transparent clothing of many colors and the painting of mouths with teeth showing, making them look less rigid than in most early work. A light-colored plaster was most likely used for Polygnotos' work, and the colors red, black and yellow.

He paintings, according to these texts, were found in the Anakeio, temple of the Diskuri on the Acropolis (northern edge), in the Poikii Stoa and Thession and at Plataea. 'The Sack of Troy', and 'Nekuia', are considered his most important works. In the Pinakothiki (art gallery) of the Propylaea, he painted scenes from the Homeric epics and from other mythological cycles directly on walls or on portable tablets. He was not paid for his work in money, but was honored with a Delphic ambassadorship.