Famous Greek Artists

Prince Nicholas of Greece and Denmark was the son of Queen Olga and George I of Greece. A talented painter, Nicholas was nicknamed Greek Nicky within the royal family to tell him apart from his cousin Nicholas II. In 1896, Prince Nicholas helped organize the Summer Olympics. He was godfather to George Simitis' son and future Prime Minister Kostas Simitis.

Apelles was an ancient Greek painter whose works impressed men like Pliny the Elder, who rated Apelles superior to subsequent and preceding artists. Although none of his paintings have survived, it has been confirmed that Apelles worked on portraits of Antigonus I Monophthalmus, Artemis, Archelaus I of Macedon, and Clitus the Black, among other works like Alexander wielding a thunderbolt.

Zeuxis was a Greek painter whose popularity peaked during the 5th century BCE. He achieved fame for his capability to imitate nature, especially still life, with his art. An innovative painter, Zeuxis' works were renowned for their realism, independent format, and novel subject matter.

Exekias was an ancient Greek potter and vase painter who was active between 545 and 530 BC in Athens. Several art historians regard Exekias as one of the greatest Attic vase painters of all time. His works are marked by his artistic vision and masterful use of psychologically sensitive compositions.

Known for his gigantic wall paintings, Greek painter Polygnotus was trained by his father, ancient Greek painter Aglaophon. His best-known works were his frescoes at the Lesche of the Knidians. His signature style included attention to detail and the use of 4 colors, white, black, red, and ochre.

One of the best-known painters of ancient Greece, Parrhasius was from Ephesus and later moved to Athens. Known for his signature outline drawing, he was a master of portraying emotions on wood and parchment. His contest with rival painter Zeuxis has been mentioned in Pliny’s Naturalis Historia.

One of the greatest painters and potters from ancient Greece, Euphronios was part of the vase painters’ group known as the Pioneer Group. A master of the red-figure technique of pottery, he had made iconic pieces such as a vase depicting Heracles fighting Antaeus, now housed at the Louvre.

One of the best-known Athenian vase painters, Niobid Painter was a master of the red-figure style and was known for his signature flower-shaped vases. He was named after his iconic Niobid Krater, which shows the killing of the Niobids by Apollo and Artemis, which is now displayed at the Louvre.

One of the finest vase painters of the Late Archaic Period, Berlin Painter is known for his namepiece, the iconic Berlin amphora, depicting Olympian god Hermes and a satyr. He was trained by a Pioneer Group member, which specialized in red-figure painting. His signature style included large figures without pattern bands.

Ancient Greek painter Protogenes was a rival of painter Apelles of Kos. Though none of his works have survived, it is known that he spent most of his professional life in Rhodes. He spent 7 years painting Ialysus and continued to paint Satyr amid dangers, during the siege of Rhodes by Demetrius I.

Brazilian-born Greek-origin painter and sculptor Constantine Andreou initially worked as a carpenter in Athens and later focused on sculpting. A scholarship took him to France, where he established himself as a fine painter. Apart from introducing new techniques of painting, he also launched a foundation to help budding artists.

Amasis Painter, one of the most well-known vase painters of Archaic Greece, was often compared to Exekias. A master of black-figure pottery, he painted several pitchers, jars, and flasks. His best-known works include a vessel showcasing Dionysus and the Maenads and another depicting Apollo and Heracles.

Micon, or Micon the Younger, was a popular Athenian painter and sculptor from the 5th century BC. He is best known for his murals on the Stoa Poikile, or Painted Portico, of Athens, which he painted along with his mentor Polygnotus. He also adorned Theseum, with subjects such as Death of Theseus.  

Greek painter Douris is remembered for his work in both the red- and black-figure vase painting styles. His signatures on various vessels appeared both as a potter and a painter. One of his best-known works was the vessel Pieta of Memnon, which depicted events from the Trojan War.

Named after the iconic Achilles and Briseis amphora, which now adorns the Vatican Museums, Achilles Painter was a prominent red-figure vase painter from the Classical period. His creations also included the white-ground style. It is believed he was also a student of the Berlin Painter and later managed his workshop.

Greek vase painter Kleophrades Painter, the son of Amasis Potter, was one of the most significant artists of the late Archaic period and worked closely with the Pioneer Group. Skilled in both red- and black-figure pottery, he is known for his iconic works such as a Munich amphora depicting Dionysus, Maenads and Satyrs.

Athenian vase painter Euthymides was one of the first to use the red-figure style. Both a painter and a potter, he was believed to be a rival of Euphronius. He was known for his depiction of human movement and his minimalist technique. The amphora The Revelers Vase remains his best-known work.

Athenian black-figure style vase painter and potter Kleitias is best remembered for his work on the krater François Vase. Discovered in an Etruscan tomb, the vase is now on display at Florence’s Museo Archeologico. Kleitias is also believed to have collaborated with ancient Greek potter Ergotimos.

Ancient Greek artist Nicomachus of Thebes was mentored by his painter father Aristides. Mentioned by Pliny, he seems to have painted many masterpieces, which were later taken to Rome. He was known for his signature use of 4 colors. Among is most celebrated works was Rape of Proserpina.

Ancient Greek painter Cimon of Cleonae is believed to have introduced many techniques, such as three-quarter views, which depicted garment folds or wrinkles, and faces looking in various directions. It is believed his portraits were so life-like, they didn’t need to be named and were easily recognizable.

One of the best-known Greek red-figure vase painters, Marsyas Painter got his name for one of his works, a ceramic wine container that depicts satyr Marsyas and is now housed in St. Petersburg. He was known for his reliance on the Kerch style of painting, characterized by polychrome effects and slender forms.