Attic Style

One of the most significant artistic achievements associated with Attica in antiquity is the production of black-figure pottery. Whilst black-figure pottery actually originated in Corinth around 700 BC, Attic artists adopted the style in the mid-7th century and developed it to great effect. With an extensive repertoire of themes, Attic black figure pottery is an important source regarding our understanding of Greek myth and daily life. They were produced both for the domestic market as well as for celebrations or rituals as well as being significant export products. As the black figure technique developed in Attica, great innovations of painting were achieved allowing for great detail, expression and stylistic development to enliven designs. Attica also became the birthplace of red-figure vase painting, which was developed around 520 BC and quickly superseded the popularity of the black-figure style.