Douris and the Painters of Greek Vases

The Project Gutenberg eBook, Douris and the Painters of Greek Vases, by Edmond Pottier, Translated by Bettina Kahnweiler
Fig. 1. KANTHAROS AND KYLIX (Cup).
By Douris. Brussels and Louvre Museums.
DOURIS AND THE PAINTERS OF GREEK VASES
BY EDMOND POTTIER MEMBRE DE L’INSTITUT
TRANSLATED BY BETTINA KAHNWEILER
WITH A PREFACE BY JANE ELLEN HARRISON HON.D.LITT.DURHAM, HON.LL.D.ABERDEEN
LONDON JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET, W. 1909
DEDICATED IN LOVE AND GRATITUDE TO AUGUST LEWIS
The translator of M. Pottier’s monograph on Douris has kindly asked me to write, by way of preface, a few words on the relation of Greek vase-painting to Greek literature and to Greek mythology. I do this with the more pleasure because this relation has, I think, been somewhat seriously misunderstood, and M. Pottier’s delightful monograph which, thanks to Miss Kahnweiler, is now given to us in English form, should do much to clear away misconception and to set the matter before us in a light at once juster and more vivid.

First let us consider for a moment the relation between Greek art and Greek literature.