Like most nations in antiquity, the Hellenic states keenly practised the art of pottery-making, and it is from this that we are able to obtain the clearest picture of ancient life. The Greeks chiefly used two art styles on their wares; Black Figure and Red Figure. The earlier of the two was Black Figure pottery, which depicted people and figures in black against a red background. Red Figure pottery inverts that, putting the figures in red against primarily dark backgrounds, drawing a more severe contrast from a darker negative space. The transition from Black to Red (around 530BC) also accompanied a trend towards more serious depictions; situations cast on vases and pottery were given more context and, in doing so, pathos. The art of figures also altered, recalling an earlier time; the slender, lithe figures exuded a sense of divinity and serenity, belying the artist's focus on balance, harmony and symmetry. One of the most well-known pottery artists of this period is Hermonax, who painted from 470 to 440BC, and is known for his inscriptions, which always stated: "Hermonax has painted it".
