Thursday's Term to Learn - Black Figure

The term "black figure" comes up when you look at the captions under some of the images on this site, so in case you've been wondering, it refers to the color of the painting in Greek pottery. Now, the later "red figure" pottery also uses black (all over the background), so, clearly, I need to explain it a bit better. In black figure painting, the pottery remains clay colored, so it is usually red, but the figures are painted. Figures painted black are sometimes enhanced by inscribing out some of the black to reveal the red beneath.

• Black Figure Painters
• Red Figure
• Ancient Pottery Pictures of Athletes

More Thursdays' Terms to Learn