Fragment of a terrracotta neck-amphora (jar) 520 BC

This fragment of a terracotta neck-amphora was created by Euphronios, an Athenian vase painter and potter active in the late 6th and early 5th centuries BCE. Fragments like these offer intimate glimpses into the gendered dynamics of ancient Greek society. The depiction of male genitalia here speaks to the celebration of the male body, but also prompts us to consider the absence of female representation in similar terms. The male body was idealized through art, reflecting the dominant cultural values of the time. How does this fragment, isolated from its original context, challenge or reinforce our understanding of ancient Greek art and culture? What narratives are lost or obscured due to its fragmented state? This piece invites us to consider the power dynamics inherent in the act of representation. It also asks us to reflect on the ways in which ancient societies shaped and controlled the narrative of gender and sexuality.