Greek Women in Vase Painting: Brides, Wives, Weavers

Abstract

Visual evidence has the power to convey ideology; as part of a culture's worldview, it contains codes that display aspects of its activities, social practices and beliefs. Painted pottery provides the researcher with numerous testimonies that give a profound understanding of the Greek mentality. The artists conveyed messages that were easily understood by the ancient receivers. Our challenge is to decipher the contents from the format of the vases, the way the figures are represented, the objects that accompany them and, in this way, to shed a light on the expectations of patriarchal society with regard to women. The abundance of textile motifs, marriage scenes and beautification scenes on the vessels are evidence of women's obligations: a virtuous woman weaves, takes care of her beauty and procreates future citizens.