Perseus dance vase

Question 1

Who painted the press dance vase?

Answer 1

unknown

Question 2

When was the Perseus dance vase painted?

Answer 2

420 BC

Question 3

Where was the Perseus dance vase found?

Answer 3

Athens

Question 4

What does the Perseus dance vase depict?

Answer 4

• Perseus is possibly the character on the stage with the sickle and bag which could be used for the head of Medusa
• People on chairs

Question 5

Why is the Perseus dance vase useful?

Answer 5

• Actor as Perseus:
  holding bag and a sickle → for Medusa’s head + Boat stage prop? - travelling to Medusa
• Satyr play being performed:
  Actor’s phallus is tied up
  comedy admired and regularly performed
• Actor isn’t wearing a mask - rehearsal? → link to producer and poet as possible audience
• Actor tummy lines - wearing a naked costume -
• textbook tells us that, ‘this is the only painting we have in Greek art which depicts a theatre audience’

-presence of poet and producer = insight into the process of Greek Drama

Question 6

Why isn’t the Perseus dance vase useful?

Answer 6

• Severely damaged - hard to see details - Perseus actor could be wearing a mask or isn’t?
• Dionysus in audience:
  Not usually depicted this way
• Audience depiction - only two people when room for more (unrealistic number as it would have been much greater)
• Klismos for audience:
  The Prohedra would not have had these
• Unclear whether the ‘audience’ are sharing the chair