Black-Figure Technique
The Black-Figure Technique is an ancient Greek pottery style that emerged around the 7th century BCE. In this method, artists painted figures and scenes in a black slip on a red clay background. After the pottery was fired, the black areas turned glossy, while the red areas remained matte, creating a striking contrast.
This technique allowed for intricate details to be carved into the black figures, revealing the red clay beneath. Common subjects included mythology, daily life, and athletic competitions. The Black-Figure Technique was eventually succeeded by the Red-Figure Technique, which offered greater flexibility in depicting human anatomy and movement.