Proto-Attic style

The Proto-Attic style was a Greek pottery style that emerged in Athens around 700 BCE during the Orientalizing period. It was characterized by scenes depicting Greece's heroic past, such as the exploits of Heracles and Perseus, often on large funerary vases. Figures of men and animals were typically shown in silhouette with heads in outline, while women were drawn entirely in outline. This style featured bold brushwork and an impressive, monumental effect.1

Proto-Attic art was part of a broader trend in Greek art during this period, which saw influences from the Middle East, including floral motifs and animals. While Corinthian pottery developed a miniaturist style known as Proto-Corinthian, Athenian artists focused on larger vases for funerary purposes, showcasing a more grandiose manner.12