Peleus Taming Thetis

pelike by Marsyas Painter

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July 1, 2026

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The subject refers to a specific piece of ancient Greek pottery, a pelike, painted by the Marsyas Painter. This vase, dating from approximately 340–330 BC, depicts the mythological scene of Peleus taming Thetis. The pelike is a type of ancient Greek amphora characterized by a wide mouth and a plump body set directly on its base. The Marsyas Painter was a significant artist of the late Classical period, known for his work in the Kerch style, which is recognized for its slender figures, elaborate decoration, and use of white paint and gilding. This style represents the final major phase of Attic red-figure painting.12

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Marsyas Painter
…in the British Museum, of “Peleus Taming Thetis,” and for a “Nuptial Lebes” (the bringing of gifts to the newly wed bride), now in the Hermitage at St. Petersburg. Both vases date from 340–330 bc, and both are in the so-called Kerch style, of which the Marsyas Painter is a…
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…in the British Museum, of “Peleus Taming Thetis,” and for a “Nuptial Lebes” (the bringing of gifts to the newly wed bride), now in the Hermitage at St. Petersburg. Both vases date from 340–330 bc, and both are in the so-called Kerch style, of which the Marsyas Painter is a…
Read More