In the context of this artwork, explore the Subject of the Historical context.
This funerary monument's size emphasizes the seemingly elite status of the deceased who is also presumed to be a woman, due to the vases commonly indicating the gender: kraters for men and amphorae for women. There is further evidence in the graves at the Dipylon cemetery containing items of wealthy women that indicated their status; these artifacts were discovered by amongst and within the large-belly handled amphorae. Painted amphorae of this size were made as grave markers. It is presumed that the vase was solely created for the dead woman depicted on the frieze.In the frieze, the woman's body is shown lying on a bier; depicted on top of her is a checkered shroud that covers her entirely from the top of her head to her feet. Interestingly, the pall curves around the deceased to provide clarity for the audience of the piece so they can recognize the dedication of this individual. The nearby figures surrounding the noblewoman are likely grieving friends and family; all of the members of the funeral are shown displaying a symbolic gesture of intense grief in which the hands are elevated towards the head.
bier kraters frieze Dipylon funerary pall amphora grave markers shroud