Zu den Megalographien in der tartessischen Vasenmalerei

Abstract

The article focuses on the group of painted orientalising vases as the only type of Tartessian pottery with figural painting. This is distinguished by the fact that it appears in large format, i. e. as megalography. The use of this formal feature shows a direct proximity to Greek, namely to Proto Corinthian and Corinthian pottery, where it appears for the first time since the middle of the 7th century BC. The analysis and comparison of the painting of these Hispanic vases with other features of the Proto- Corinthian and Corinthian pottery, such as technical-formal, motivic and compositional features, reveals a wealth of similarity and common ground. The conclusion that Corinthian vase painting based on corresponding Greek models as orientation for tartessian vase-painters is therefore inescapable. A few Greek vases with megalographic painting probably reached south-western Hispania towards the end of the 7th century BC/beginning of the 6th century BC. Hispanic painters made use of their imagery when the Tartessian elite – at the height of their power at this time – demanded figurative representation. Large closed vessels were used as image carriers, so-called amphorae, which are associated with the Phoenician world.