There were four distinct periods from 850 B. in which the style of Greek vase paintings dramatically changed. The first period was the Geometric period which lasted from 850 B.C. to 700 B.C. The next period, lasting from 700 B.C. to 600 B.C., was called the Orientalizing phase from its Asian influences. The third phase, called the Archaic period, dominated from 650 B.C. to 480 B.C. and the fourth period, the Classical period, reigned the time between 480 B.C. to 323 B.C. These four periods each have their own special style of decorations and are unique to their respective time periods.
During the Geometric period the major subject of the paintings was "prosthesis" or lying in state by the dead. The vases were decorated with detailed geometric shapes such as concentric circles and horizontal bands. When figures were drawn they were wedge-shaped and had "stick" arms. Also, warships and shipwrecks were often depicted. During the Orientalizing phase, Greek vase paintings showed a story. The major subjects were battles, funerals, and pageants. The designs reflected the Oriental and Egyptian influences in animals and people. Figures were made of simple shapes such as elongated triangles or wedges. Geometric design was still used but only in the handles, foot, and lip of the vase.
Potters worked with black and red figure ware during the Archaic period. These wares had bands of design on the foot, neck, and lip. The main subject of the paintings was mythology with legends scratched into the red background. Black slip was used as a decoration and later advances allowed glazes to be painted on with a brush. In the Classical period, white ground ware vases were given a funerary gifts. These vases showed scenes of everyday life such as a woman combing her hair. After firing, the ware was painted with red, black or purple glaze.
These different phases of Greek vase paintings allow us to see the evolution of the art of vase painting.