Douris and the Painters of Greek Vases

"Douris and the Painters of Greek Vases" by Edmond Pottier is a historical exploration of ancient Greek vase painting, focusing on the artist Douris and those who painted alongside him. Written in the early 1900s, the book shines a light on the role of vase painting in reflecting the values and artistic tastes of ancient Greek society. With hardly any great ancient paintings surviving today, colorful vases filled a gap in our understanding of the time. The account begins by setting the stage, describing the importance of vase painting as a way to glimpse the artistic style and aesthetics from a time long ago. Douris's unique approach is highlighted, showing that his art captured both ordinary life and mythical stories, but wasn't simply trying to match a story. The author lays the groundwork to understand the way Douris, as an artist, functioned in society. The journey ahead promises closer examinations of Douris's artistic handprint and his methods.