Greek vases are a great place to learn about spatial movement in visual art. Rhythm, overlapping planes, repitition and variation, tension, movement, its all there.
The images are simple in color, dark and light tone, providing a clear sense of positive and negative space, and a wonderful opportunity for us to learn how to better make use of these ideas.
The negative spaces in between figures all vary in size and shape. The negative spaces in themselves present interesting forms that dance through the surface, helping to move our eye throughout the piece.
Note for example the rhythmatic movement of the feet of the soldiers. They do not rest in just one line, and they show variety in shape, size, and directionality of movement. All of this helps to provide a movement and rhythm in the piece.
