Divine Portrait or Devotional Image? Gods among Mortals on Greek Vases (20 min)

Presenters

Tyler Jo Smith, University of Virginia

Abstract

Greek vases present no shortage of images of the gods, but the nature of these divine figures is not always clearly understood. Using a combination of performance theory, the archaeology of religion, and expanded definitions of portraiture, this paper reconsiders interactions between divine and mortal figures in Athenian vase-painting. By focusing on scenes of worship rather than story, it is possible question the appearance of gods among mortals not only from the perspective of the artists and viewer, but also from the perspective of religious practice. While Athena, Hermes, or Dionysos may be easily recognized in archaic and classical art by their attributes, when portrayed in the presence of humans who encounter, observe, or touch them other issues arise. Are these divinities visible or invisible, visions or apparitions? Are they simply indicators of sacred space, cult images, or commemorations? Given the conventions and restrictions of black-figure and red-figure painting, as well as the anthropomorphic visualization of the ancient Greek gods, these questions remain difficult to answer. Some vases, especially those attached to ritual activity and decorated with religious iconography, introduce the possibility of animated objects, embodied experiences, perhaps even mystical perspectives. Those discovered within the sanctuary context offer yet another layer of potential meaning. But, regardless of image-shape alignments or specific archaeological findspots, it will be argued here that Greek vases with depictions of religious activity that in some way include the gods are themselves sacralized object—namely, they have a sacred character or quality. A Greek viewer or user of the vessel would not only have recognized their deities through these divine portraits, but also viewed them as devotional images on some level: the images are of the gods and the gods are in the images.