Red-figured vase painting was invented most likely by the Andocides Painter around 530 BC in Athens, where it continued to be used until near the end of the fourth century. The technique involved primarily drawing figures in outline on the orange-red Attic clay, then filling in the background with black gloss. Relief lines were employed for the more important contours, diluted gloss for the lesser ones and the drawing of the interior, with red and white used sparingly for other details.
During the fifth century BC Attic red-figure was the most important fine-w…