Red-figure vase painting is one of the most important styles of figural
Greek vase painting. It developed in
Athens around 520 BC and remained in use until the late 3rd century BC. It replaced the previously dominant style of
black-figure vase painting within a few decades. Its modern name is based on the figural depictions in red colour on a black background, in contrast to the preceding black-figure style with black figures on a red background. The most important areas of production, apart from
Attica, were in
Southern Italy. The style was also adopted in other parts of
Greece.
Etruria became an important centre of production outside the
Greek World.