Approaches to the Study of Attic Vases : Beazley and Pottier

Philippe Rouet examines how Attic painted vases were interpreted by Edmond Pottier (1855-1934), founder of the Corpus Vasorum Antiquorum, and John Beazley (1885-1970), the master of attributions in the twentieth century. The comparison shows two markedly different approaches, one primarily archaeological, the other centred on the history of ancient art.

This book concerns the history of the interpretation of Attic painted vases, and is based on a comparative study of the works of Edmond Pottier (1855-1934), the founder and organizer of the Corpus Vasorum Antiquorum, and John Beazley (1885-1970), who carried out the majority of vase attributions. The comparison between the two men involves an examination of two intellectual traditions which run through the history of the study of pottery. The first of these accentuates the documentary value of vases and the need to ensure their global publication, while the second views vases as objets d''art, and endeavours to trace the development of artistic forms by constructing a history of vase-painters. In reality these approaches are not directly conflicting, but represent two poles around which the discipline of pottery scholarship is organized. By showing how both interpretations have gained support in the more recent past, this work aims to provide a better understanding of the issues involved in the study of pottery today.