Famous Greek Artists & Painters

Phidias was a Greek painter, sculptor, and architect. He is credited with sculpting the famous Statue of Zeus at Olympia, which was an important part of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Phidias is widely regarded as one of the greatest ancient Greek sculptors and is seen as the pioneer of the Classical Greek sculptural design.

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.

Praxiteles was a Greek sculptor and son of famous scupltor Cephisodotus the Elder. The first scupltor to create a life-size statue of the nude female form, Praxiteles was the most celebrated among all the Attica sculptors of the fourth century BC. Praxiteles' supposed relationship with his beautiful model Phryne has inspired interpretation in works of art, such as comic opera.

Myron was an Athenian sculptor best remembered for his bronze sculptures, representing athletes from his time period. Among his most popular works are Discobolus, a discus thrower, Athena, and Marsyas. Although none of his original works have survived, there exist copies of his works in marble, mostly Roman.

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.

Polykleitos was an ancient Greek sculptor who is regarded as one of the most prominent sculptors of classical antiquity along with Athenian sculptors Praxiteles, Myron, and Pheidias. Although none of his original creations have survived, there exist copies of his original bronze works in marble, mostly Roman. Polykleitos attracted schools of followers and many of his students became famous.

Lysippos was a Greek sculptor who is regarded as one of the three greatest sculptors, along with Praxiteles and Scopas, of the Classical Greek era. Lysippos is remembered for his bronze colossal sculptures of Zeus. His pupil, Chares of Lindos, is credited with constructing the famous Colossus of Rhodes, which was among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

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.

One of the greatest sculptors of the Hellenistic period, Alexandros of Antioch is best known for creating the iconic statue of the Venus de Milo on the Melos island, which is now on display at the Louvre Museum of Paris. A wandering artist, he was also a talented singer and composer.

Scopas was an ancient Greek architect and sculptor best remembered for his statue of Meleager. Scopas, who worked with Praxiteles, is credited with sculpting the reliefs and other parts of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus. Some of his works are preserved in museums, such as the National Archaeological Museum of Athens and British Museum.

Known to have sculpted the iconic marble statue Apollo Belvedere, 4th-century BC Greek sculptor Leochares also worked at the famed Tomb of Mausolos at Halicarnassus. Commissioned by the Macedonian king Philip, he also made statues of the royal family of Macedon out of gold and ivory.

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.

Ancient Greek sculptor Agesander, who hailed from the island of Rhodes, was a master of the Hellenistic baroque style. He finds a mention in the works of Roman author Pliny as one of the co-creators of the group of sculptures known as Laocoön and His Sons, along with Athenodorus and Polydorus.

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.

Brygos Painter was a prominent red-figure vase painter from the Late Archaic Period. He is also known as the Brygos Potter, as the signatures on the cups and vases made by him don’t specify whether he painted or made them. His namepiece, the Brygos Cup, is now on display at the Louvre.

Greek sculptor Kresilas, who belonged to the Classical Period, is best remembered for his statue of Pericles. He was previously mistakenly referred to as a woman named Cresilla. A rival of Phidias, he created a sculpture of a wounded Amazon in a contest in Ephesus, of which only copies survive.

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.

Greek sculptor Alcamenes was renowned for the perfect finish of his creations. Known for his works such as Aphrodite of the Gardens, he was also said to be the creator of one of the pediments of Olympia’s Temple of Zeus. He was a contemporary of popular Greek sculptor-painter Phidias.

Butades, or Dibutades, was an ancient Greek clay artist and is considered the first clay modeler. Legend has it that when his daughter fell for a man in Corinth, she drew an outline of his face on the wall, and Butades, a clay tile maker, then made a clay model of the face.

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.

Antenor was a major Athenian sculptor of the late Archaic period. Best remembered for his statues of the tyrannicides Harmodius and Aristogiton, he also created the iconic Antenor kore, an iconic statue of a woman made of Parian marble, which was discovered in the Athenian Acropolis.

Athenian sculptor Kritios is believed to have been the creator of the famed marble statue known as Kritios Boy, the first to use the contrapposto from Classical Antiquity. A student of Antenor, he made a copy of the Tyrannicides, originally made by Antenor but plundered by the Persians during the Greco-Persian Wars.

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.

Greek painter and sculptor Euphranor hailed from Corinth and is best remembered for his works such as Twelve Gods at Stoa Basileios. Roman author Pliny mentions Euphranor’s depictions of Theseus and Odysseus. He was a contemporary of artists and sculptors such as Praxiteles and Antorides.

Greek sculptor Cephisodotus the Elder is perhaps best known for his sculpture of Eirene (Peace) holding an infant Plutus (Wealth). He was also thought to be the father of Attica sculptor Praxiteles of Athens. Many of his statues adorned the ancient Grecian city Megalopolis, now known as the town Megalopoli.

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.

Greek sculptor Ageladas is believed to have mentored legendary sculptors Phidias, Myron, and Polykleitos. However, some scholars believe the chronology that supports this theory doesn’t add up, while others believe there were 2 sculptors named Ageladas, adding to the confusion.

Vase painter Meidias Painter is known for his signature florid or mannerist style. A large hydria, or water vessel, bearing his name, his best-known work, depicts scenes such as the rape of the daughters of Leucippus by Castor and Pollux, or the Dioscuri, and is housed at the British Museum.

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.

Best known for his realistic and life-like statues, Greek sculptor Demetrios of Alopeka created many portraits, such as that of Corinthian general Pellichus. Many other works, such as a head of priestess Lysimache of Athena, now at the British Museum, are attributed to him, but without substantial evidence.

Greek sculptor Agoracritus hailed from the island of Paros and was mentored by the legendary sculptor Phidias. Though only 4 of his works find mention in the treatises of authors such as Pliny, he remains to be respected for his perfection. A statue of Zeus and that of Nemesis, remain his best-known works.

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.

Ancient Greek sculptor from Messene, Damophon was known for his acroliths, or statues made of a mixture of materials. When Phidias’s sculpture of Zeus at Olympia was damaged by an earthquake, Damophon fixed it. A major figure of Peloponnese, he also worked in places such as Kynthos and Leucas.

Bathycles was an ancient Greek sculptor from Magnesia. The only work that could be attributed to him was a marble throne or altar built for the Apollo at Amyclae, a work that was commissioned by the Spartans. Though this work displayed great mythological knowledge, no other work of his has been found.

Paeonius of Mende belonged to the age of legendary Greek sculptors Phidias and Polyclitus. He is perhaps best known for his statue of Nike, or Victory, which was found at Olympia and is now on display at the Archaeological Museum of Olympia. The medals of the 2004 Athens Olympics featured this masterpiece.

Apollonius of Tralles is known for creating the iconic marble structure known as the Farnese Bull, with his brother Tauriscus. The piece was the largest single sculpture from the antiquity and was, according to Pliny, carved from a single piece of marble in Rhodes and then acquired by Roman politician Asinius Pollio.

Greek sculptor Agasias hailed from Ephesus and was the son of Menophilus, though some sources mention his father was a certain Dositheus. He is perhaps best known for his sculpture of a warrior on foot fighting another warrior on horseback, known as the Borghese Warrior, or the Borghese Gladiator.

Archermus, a Greek sculptor from Chios, is believed to be the first sculptor to depict Nike (Victory) and Eros (Love) with wings. Known for his representations of women in drapes, he mostly worked alongside his father, sculptor Micciades. His daughters, Bupalus and Athenis too were marble sculptors.

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.