Magna Grecia

The great movement of colonization that starts from the 8th century to the 5th century B.C. sees new settlements of Greek cities in western parts of the Mediterranean Sea. They establish colonies in Southern Italy and Sicily - corresponding to the region of Magna Graecia. These settlements are founded with all that composes a Greek city including the artists. The production starts at the end of the 5th century principally due to the Peloponnesian War. It forced attic painters and potters to exile in Italy and to set up workshops there.
The technique used by these painters is predominantly red-figure, but also the style called style of Gnathia – named after the region in Apulia where the first examples of this type of vase was found – and Xenon. There is a massive use of highlights in added colors - mostly red and white but also blue and green - punctuating the composition.