Paestan vase painting

The first workshop was controlled by Asteas and Python, who are the only South Italian vase painters known from inscriptions.

Asteas and Python had a major influence on the vase painting of Paestum, clearly visible in the work of the Aphrodite Painter, a likely immigrant from Apulia.

At the same time, an influence by the Campanian Caivano Painter becomes notable, with garments falling in a linear fashion and contourless female figures.

[1] Characteristics of the Paestan style include decorations such as lateral palmettes, a pattern of tendrils with calyx and umbrel known as "Asteas flower", crenelation-like patterns on garments, and curly hair hanging over the back of figures.

[2] The themes depicted often belong to the Dionysiac cycle: thiasos and symposium scenes, satyrs, maenads, Silenos, Orestes, Electra, the gods Aphrodite and Eros, Apollo, Athena and Hermes.