The artwork, titled “Terracotta Lekythos (oil Flask),” was created by Ancient Greek Pottery around 460 BC. Crafted from terracotta, it belongs to the Classical art movement and serves as both a genre painting and a utensil. It is part of the White-ground series and currently resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met) in New York City, NY, US.
This lekythos features a slim, elongated body with a single handle extending from the neck to the shoulder. The artwork displays intricate black-figure illustrations on a white-ground, typical of the White-ground series. The design includes decorative elements such as geometric patterns along the neck and shoulder, with figural scenes depicted on the main body. The primary scene shows a standing figure, likely a young man, holding a sword, beside what appears to be a helmet, which suggests themes of readiness and warfare. The vessel, with its delicate form and detailed artistry, exemplifies the refined aesthetics and cultural values of Classical Greek pottery.