Rare set of large plates with decorative colour lithographs depicting Greek pottery, such as amphorae, vases, bowls, and other storage and decorative vessels. The large, finely executed prints were created in the studio Hein & Mosler in Berlin.

The revival of interest in Greek ceramics was led by the travellers and cogniscenti who visited Greece and southern Italy in the mid to late 18th century. The Greek vase as an art form was first brought to the attention of an appreciative wider audience with the publication of a number or well-illustrated works on the collections of these dilletants. The most notable of this group was Sir William Hamilton (1730-1803), whose collection catalogue was published over a number of years starting in 1769. However, these early pioneers, working with a relatively small number of examples and using primitive techniques, were only able to begin to piece together the intricate story of this unique art form.

It was not until a century later that art historians felt that they understood the full scope and history of ancient Greek ceramics in general and the superb work produced using red-figure technique in particular. The red-figure technique first came into use in about 500 B.C. and was the dominant type by about 530 B.C. With this technique, images are traced in outline and the background filled in with black glaze. Details are then drawn in by the painter with a black or brownish glaze.

Genick (d. 1906) was one of the leading authorities of his day on the red-figure vases: an architect by training, he had a passionate love for and deep understanding of this great Athenian pottery. His study brought to realisation by Wasmuth's superb chromolithographs, illustrates for the first time these masterpieces of the potter's life-size art.chromolithographs, illustrates for the first time these masterpieces of the potter's life-size art.

Group of Eight chromolithograph plates by Ernst Wasmuth (sheet size: 27 by 18 inches). Overall size, framed and glazed: 77 x 54cm.