Psiax

Psiax (flourished in Athens circa 525–510 BCE) was an ancient Greek vase painter. He played an important role in the transition from Attic black-figure to red-figure. Formerly called the Menon Painter, after the potter’s signature on a red-figure amphora (Philadelphia, U. PA, Mus., 5349), he signed two red-figure alabastra as painter, both of which bear the signature of the potter Hilinos [Karlsruhe, Bad. Landesmus., 242 (B 120) and Odessa, A. Mus.] . Psiax also knew white-ground pottery techniques, as well as coral red pottery techniques. [ [http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artMakerDetails?maker=26 The Getty Museum - Biography of Psiax] "A vase-painter working in Athens in the late 500s B.C., Psiax is known from his signature on several surviving vases. A versatile painter, Psiax worked in every pottery technique in use at that time: black-figure, red-figure, white-ground, coral red, and Six's technique. He decorated the complete range of Greek vase shapes, both large and small, favoring Dionysiac scenes and the myths of Herakles. Most importantly, Psiax was an innovator. Two of his vases were signed by the potter Andokides, showing that Psiax worked in the shop where the red-figure technique was probably invented. He is also the first vase-painter interested in showing the human body in complex poses, a trait subsequently developed by the so-called Pioneers, at least one of whom, Euphronios, appears to have been Psiax's pupil."]

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* [http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artMakerDetails?maker=26 The Getty Museum - Biography of Psiax]