Nikosthenes was a potter of Greek black- and red-figure pottery in the time window 550–510 BC. He signed as the potter on over 120 black-figure vases, but only nine red-figure. Most of his vases were painted by someone else, called Painter N. Beazley considers the painting "slovenly and dissolute;" that is, not of high quality. In addition, he is thought to have worked with the painters Anakles, Oltos, Lydos and Epiktetos. Six's technique is believed to have been invented in Nikosthenes' workshop, possibly by Nikosthenes himself, around 530 BC. He is considered transitional between black-figure and red-figure pottery.
Amazonomachy. Side A from an Attic black-figure Nikosthenic amphora, ca. 520–510 BC, located in Paris, Louvre, F 111.
Nikosthenes' signature (Nikosthenes epoiesen) on the neck of a black-figure Nikosthenic amphora, c. 530–520 BC, located in the Louvre
Black-figure pottery painting, also known as the black-figure style or black-figure ceramic, is one of the styles of painting on antique Greek vases. It was especially common between the 7th and 5th centuries BCE, although there are specimens dating in the 2nd century BCE. Stylistically it can be distinguished from the preceding orientalizing period and the subsequent red-figure pottery style.
Heracles and Geryon on an Attic black-figured amphora with a thick layer of transparent gloss, c. 540 BCE, now in the Munich State Collection of Antiquities.
Athena wearing the aegis, Attic black-figured hydria by the potter Pamphaios (signed) and the Euphiletos Painter, c. 540 BCE. Found in Tuscania, now in the Cabinet des Médailles, BNF, Paris
Scene from a black-figure amphora from Athens, 6th century BCE, now in the Louvre, Paris
Hercules drives Cerberus ahead of him. The beast turns one of its heads back in a threatening manner and raises its snake tail. Faultily fired Attic neck amphora by the Bucci Painter, c. 540 BC, found in Vulci, now in the Munich State Collection of Antiquities
