Out of Time but Not Out of Space: Diogenes in Red-Figure

This June, we’re thrilled to share a special commission that challenged and inspired us: the depiction of the Cynic philosopher Diogenes on an ancient-style vase. The request came from a client with a keen eye and sharp wit — the perfect match for the subject.

We proposed a modest Attic skyphos, a humble vessel suited to the austere spirit of Diogenes. Our master vase painter, Popi, explored various episodes from his life through a series of preparatory sketches. Together, we selected two scenes that bring Diogenes’ sharp mind and irreverent humor to life:

• Side A: Diogenes and the Chicken
  A nod to the famous moment when Diogenes mocked Plato’s definition of man as a “featherless biped” by presenting a plucked chicken at the Academy. Plato reportedly amended the definition to include “with broad, flat nails.”

• Side B: Diogenes and Alexander
  A quieter but striking moment: Alexander the Great offers Diogenes anything he wishes. Diogenes’ reply, ἀποσκότησόν με — literally, “take me out of the darkness” — carries a double edge. It can mean “enlighten me,” or more famously: “stand out of my light.” In modern Greek, we still echo this with «μη με σκοτίζεις» — “don’t bother me.”

Instead of showing Diogenes in a dramatic pose, Popi chose to depict him with his arm lowered and his figure partly shaded, to emphasize both the literal and metaphorical “darkness” cast by Alexander.

The vase we’ve created is intentionally out of time but not out of space — a 5th-century form in classical red-figure style, even though Diogenes lived a century later. Its austere elegance makes it feel as though the vessel existed before the philosopher, awaiting his paradoxes.

We thank the lady who entrusted us with this idea. Each bespoke vase invites not only craftsmanship, but also study, imagination, and play — a full project in its own right.