Epiktetos

Epiktetos was an Attic vase painter active between 520 and 490 BCE, known for his early red-figure style and membership in the Pioneer Group. His name suggests he may have been a slave. He began by painting a chalice krater for potter Andokides but later focused on smaller vessels like cups and plates. Over his career, he worked with several potters, including Hychylos and Nikosthenes-Pamphaios, and signed some of his work as both painter and potter.

Epiktetos was celebrated for his technical skill and innovative approach. His early works included bilingual eye-cups, using black-figure on the interior and red-figure on the exterior. He avoided outdated motifs like palmette-hearts and excelled in creating tondi (circular images), earning praise from scholars like John Beazley and John Boardman for his draughtsmanship.

He favored scenes of daily life over mythological ones, depicting Athenian citizens in various settings, including symposia and erotic situations. His figures often showed new postures and motifs, such as the satyr as a symbol of beastly masculinity. He avoided traditional poses, instead featuring dynamic actions and innovative compositions.

Among his notable works were collaborations with other painters and stylistic influences from potters like Python. His esteemed reputation led to forgeries of his work being created, indicating high market value during his time.