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    Dangerous Perfection: Funerary Vases from Southern Italy

    November 19, 2014–May 11, 2015

    Getty Villa

    Funerary Vessel, South Italian, from Apulia, about 350 B.C., terracotta red-figured volute krater associated with the Iliupersis Painter

    Funerary Vessel, South Italian, from Apulia, about 350 B.C., terracotta red-figured volute krater associated with the Iliupersis Painter

  • Funerary Vessel (detail), South Italian, from Apulia, about 350 B.C., terracotta red-figured volute krater associated with the Iliupersis Painter

    Funerary Vessel (detail), South Italian, from Apulia, about 350 B.C., terracotta red-figured volute krater associated with the Iliupersis Painter

  • Funerary Vessel, South Italian, from Apulia, about 350 B.C., terracotta red-figured hydria attributed to the Chamay Painter. Image © Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Antikensammlung. Photo: Johannes Laurentius

    Funerary Vessel, South Italian, from Apulia, about 350 B.C., terracotta red-figured hydria attributed to the Chamay Painter. Image © Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Antikensammlung. Photo: Johannes Laurentius

  • Funerary Vessel, South Italian, from Apulia, 350-325 B.C., terracotta red-figured loutrophoros attributed to the Darius Painter

    Funerary Vessel, South Italian, from Apulia, 350-325 B.C., terracotta red-figured loutrophoros attributed to the Darius Painter

  • Funerary Vessel, South Italian, from Apulia, 350-325 B.C., terracotta red-figured amphora attributed to the Darius Painter (the Hecuba Sub-Group). Image © Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Antikensammlung. Photo: Johannes Laurentius

    Funerary Vessel, South Italian, from Apulia, 350-325 B.C., terracotta red-figured amphora attributed to the Darius Painter (the Hecuba Sub-Group). Image © Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Antikensammlung. Photo: Johannes Laurentius

  • Funerary Vessel (detail), South Italian, from Apulia, 350-325 B.C., terracotta red-figured amphora attributed to the Darius Painter (the Hecuba Sub-Group). Image © Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Antikensammlung. Photo: Johannes Laurentius

    Funerary Vessel (detail), South Italian, from Apulia, 350-325 B.C., terracotta red-figured amphora attributed to the Darius Painter (the Hecuba Sub-Group). Image © Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Antikensammlung. Photo: Johannes Laurentius

  • Funerary Vessel, South Italian, from Apulia, 340-310 B.C., terracotta red-figured volute krater attributed to the Phrixos Group. Image © Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Antikensammlung. Photo: Johannes Laurentius

    Funerary Vessel , South Italian, from Apulia, 340-310 B.C., terracotta red-figured volute krater attributed to the Phrixos Group. Image © Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Antikensammlung. Photo: Johannes Laurentius

  •  Assemblage of 13 funerary vessels found at Ceglie del Campo, near Bari in Apulia, Italy

    Assemblage of 13 funerary vessels found at Ceglie del Campo, near Bari in Apulia, Italy

  • Funerary Vessel, South Italian, from Apulia, 350-325 B.C., terracotta red-figured loutrophoros attributed to the Darius Painter

    Funerary Vessel, South Italian, from Apulia, 350-325 B.C., terracotta red-figured loutrophoros attributed to the Darius Painter

  • Funerary Vessel (detail), South Italian, from Apulia, 350-325 B.C., terracotta red-figured loutrophoros attributed to the Darius Painter

    Funerary Vessel (detail), South Italian, from Apulia, 350-325 B.C., terracotta red-figured loutrophoros attributed to the Darius Painter

Dangerous Perfection: Funerary Vases from Southern Italy

November 19, 2014–May 11, 2015, Getty Villa

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Thirteen elaborately decorated Apulian vases provide a rich opportunity to examine the funerary customs of peoples native to southern Italy and the ways they used Greek myth to comprehend death and the afterlife. Displayed following a six-year conservation project at the Antikensammlung Berlin and the Getty Villa, these monumental vessels also reveal the hand of Raffaele Gargiulo, one of the leading restorers of 19th-century Naples. His work exemplifies what one concerned antiquarian described as "dangerous perfection" as such interventions—especially the painted decorations—could be so effective it became difficult to identify what was ancient and what was modern. The vases on view offer a window into the ongoing debate concerning the degree to which ancient artworks should be repaired and repainted.

The vessels illustrated here are shown as they appear at the conclusion of the conservation project. The vase attributed to the Darius Painter (depicted in slides 9-10 above), has been left in its 19th-century state as an example of Gargiulo's restoration work.

This exhibition was organized by the J. Paul Getty Museum in collaboration with the Antikensammlung, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin. Generous support was provided by the Getty Museum’s Villa Council.

All images are courtesy of Antikensammlung, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, unless otherwise noted.

Related Events

A variety of special programs complement the exhibition. All events are free, unless otherwise noted. Admission to the Getty Villa and to the exhibition is FREE; an advance, timed-entry ticket is required for general admission. For more, see information on planning a visit or call (310) 440-7300.

Lectures
Graves, Archives, and Glue: Stories behind the Funerary Vases of "Dangerous Perfection"

Exhibition curators and the lead conservator share their experiences investigating and conserving the monumental vessels on view in the exhibition. They reveal the detective work behind trying to determine where the vases were buried, the forensic techniques that helped uncover how they were previously reassembled, and the complex challenges involved in their cleaning, reconstruction, and display. Free; a ticket is required.

Thursday, November 20, 7:30 p.m.
Getty Villa: Auditorium

Imagery and Identity: The Monumental Vases of Ancient Apulia

Richly decorated with complex imagery and narrative scenes, large figure-decorated vases of the 4th century BC found in Apulia (southeastern Italy) served as proud statements of identity. Archaeologist Tom Carpenter examines these vases and the funerary assemblages in which they were found to shed light on the otherwise little-known Apulian people. Free; a ticket is required.

Thursday, March 5, 7:30 p.m.
Getty Villa: Auditorium

Death Salon Getty Villa: From Ancient Necropolis to L.A.'s Metropolis

Death Salons are engaging gatherings that invite us to examine mortality and mourning through the lenses of art, history, and culture. In this special daylong program, a diverse roster of thinkers, writers, and performers explore death in classical antiquity and contemporary L.A. with talks, gallery tours, and performances. This event is inspired by the exhibition Dangerous Perfection: Funerary Vases from Southern Italy and offered in partnership with L.A.-based organization Death Salon. Fee: $40 (includes parking and reception). Program schedule to be announced. Tickets on sale beginning February 5.

Sunday, April 26, 2015, 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Getty Villa: Auditorium

Gallery Course
Stories for the Greek Dead

Delve into Greek and related south Italian tales of dramatic death and examine myths considered appropriate for the dead with educator Eric Bruehl. Tour the Museum collection and the exhibition Dangerous Perfection: Funerary Vases from Southern Italy to learn how artists approach scenes of death and view the narratives decorating spectacular funerary urns. Course fee $35 (includes refreshments). Complimentary parking. Tickets available beginning February 15.

Sunday, April 12, 1:00–4:00 p.m.
Getty Villa: Meeting Rooms and Museum galleries

Culinary Workshop
Southern Italian Culinary Traditions

Join Maite Gomez-Rejón of Artbites for an exploration of the ancient and modern culinary traditions of Southern Italy. Learn about the myths and customs related to death and the afterlife through a tour of the exhibition. Prepare and enjoy a class meal inspired by historical recipes. Open to 20 participants. Course fee $85. Complimentary parking.

Thursday, January 8, 10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Course repeats Friday, January 9.
Getty Villa: Meeting Room and Museum galleries

Related Events Continued

Studio Course
Pen and Ink Wash Workshop

Join gallery educator Elmira Adamian for a tour and observational drawing exercises in the exhibition Dangerous Perfection: Funerary Vases from Southern Italy. Return to the studio to continue your drawings with pen and ink wash. Open to 24 participants. Course fee $45 (includes materials). Complimentary parking.

Sunday, January 11, 1:00–4:30 p.m.
Getty Villa: Meeting Rooms and Museum galleries

Demonstration

Handling Session: Greek Vases

How were Greek vases made? Find out in this multisensory handling session! Touch tools and materials used by ancient potters and painters, ranging from riverbed clays to mouse-whisker brushes. Discover the hidden techniques used to shape and decorate these ancient painted vessels in the black-figure and red-figure styles. This is a free, drop-in program.

Thursdays and Sundays, November 2–May 10, 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Getty Villa: Reading Room

Talks
Curator’s Gallery Talks

David Saunders, associate curator of antiquities, the J. Paul Getty Museum, leads a gallery talk on the exhibition. Sign-up begins 15 minutes before the tour at the Tour Meeting Place.

Thursdays, December 4 and 11; January 15 and 29; February 12 and 26; March 12 and 26; April 2,
3:00 p.m.
Mondays, May 4 and 11, 3:00 p.m.
Getty Villa: Museum galleries

Performance
Master Storytellers Hugh Lupton and Daniel Morden at the Getty Villa

The myths of the ancient Greeks still have the power to charm and chill us today, remaining part of our consciousness millennia after they were first imagined. British storytellers Daniel Morden and Hugh Lupton are renowned for their passionate, lucid, and accessible retellings of Greek myths. Their program illuminates the images in the exhibition Dangerous Perfection: Funerary Vases from Southern Italy, including Jason's hunt for the Golden Fleece. Suitable for adults and children over 12. Tickets $12.

Learn more about this performance and buy tickets.

Friday, April 10, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 11, 3:00 and 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 12, 3:00 p.m.
Getty Villa: Auditorium

Interactive

Apulian Vases interactive

Trace the 19th-century discovery and restoration and modern analysis and conservation of an Apulian vase in this interactive.

Publications

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