Sir John Boardman (1927-2024) studied at Magdelene College, Cambridge. He lived in Greece for several years, three of which as Assistant Director of the British School at Athens. He has conducted excavations in Smyrna, Chios, Crete, and Libya. From 1955 to 1959, he was Assistant Keeper at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. He has written many books on ancient Greek art and archaeology. Notably, he authored three books on Greek sculpture (Archaic, Classical, and Late Classical periods), two books on Athenian Red-Figure Vases (Archaic and Classical periods), Early Greek Vase Painting, Mortuary Customs in the Ancient Greek World (with Donna Kurtz), and others.

The Athenian Black-Figure Vases showcase the work of accomplished artists such as Exekias, who depicted mythological scenes and everyday life on these vessels. These scenes significantly expand our understanding of ancient Greece and help us better comprehend its culture.

In this book, Professor John Boardman facilitates a deep study of various vase forms and helps readers grasp the authentic style of a painter or group of painters, without the need to consult numerous, often rare, older editions. Furthermore, since there is no comprehensive guide to the mythological scenes and other decorative features of the vases, Professor Boardman dedicates an additional chapter to this specific topic. The images have been carefully selected to serve the clearest and most understandable presentation of the motifs, shapes, and themes.