Abstract
The article focuses on the structural and semantic characteristics of “janiform” images in Greek art of the 6th –4th centuries B.C. Composite depictions of two connected heads (which can be either different or identical), facing in the opposite directions are conspicuously “artificial” constructs. They are created to express a particular relationship between two entities. In this article, I propose four types of connotation in “janiform” imagery: unity of opposites, complementary connection, emphasis through duplication, interaction and spatial relationship both within the object and between the object with its surroundings. These structural observations are applied to the corpus of East Greek miniature vessels of the 6th century B.C. and janiform Attic plastic vases of the late 6th–5th centuries B.C. Analysis of semantics is reinforced by crossreference to other objects from the same visual milieu.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
