T1.7 THE BIRTH OF ERICHTHONIUS
| Museum Collection | Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond |
|---|---|
| Catalogue No. | Richmond 81.70 |
| Beazley Archive No. | 10158 |
| Ware | Attic Red Figure |
| Shape | Krater, Calyx |
| Painter | Attributed to the Manner of Kadmos Painter |
| Date | ca. 405 - 395 B.C. |
| Period | Classical |
DESCRIPTION
Gaea (the Earth) hands her newborn son Erichthonius over to the foster-care of the goddess Athena. Gaea is depicted as crowned, matronly woman partially risen from the earth, inseparable from her native element. Athena wears a helm and the serpent-trimmed aegis cape, and is accompanied by a flying owl carrying an olive wreath. In the upper left hand corner Hermes observes the scene from heaven. Athena's handmaiden, the winged goddess Nike (Victory), carries her mistress' spear and shield. Aphrodite is seated below her holding a royal sceptre.
IMAGE DETAIL
Detail of Gaea and the infant Erichthonius.