The Etruscans The Etruscans l Three periods of

The Etruscans

The Etruscans l Three periods of Etruscan History: l Villanovan Period – 9 th -8 th centuries BCE – similar to Greek Geometric Period in art l Orientalizing Phase – 750 – 575 BCE – Etruscans reach height of their power l Archaic Period – 550 – 350 BCE – Coincides with Greek Archaic Period; heavy Greek influence; most artwork from this period

The Etruscans are the first historic people in Italy, they settled between the Arno and Tiber Rivers, and area still named Tuscany after them and conquered north to the Po River and south to Magna Graecia l Etruscan writing has still not been deciphered l Etruscan religion was very similar to Egyptian and Greek; they were polytheistic and shared same gods as the Greeks but they had a strong belief in the afterlife like the Egyptians. They also practiced ritual sacrifice and the reading of animal entrails l Most Etruscan art is funereal. l

The Etruscans l Etruscan Art characteristics: l Heavy use of bronze, tufa (volcanic rock) and terracotta l Humans not always in proportion – not concerned with ideal forms l Invented the arch l Many mythological themes: animals, heroes, and gods l Most art is related to funerals, tombs and after life themes

Etruscan Art l l l Porta Augusta 295 -250 BCE Perugia, Italy Restored by Augustus in 40 BCE, hence its name Best surviving example of an Etruscan gate and use of the arch

Etruscan Art l l Cloaca Maxima 600 BCE Rome, Italy Originally built by Etruscans as an open air canal, later covered by the Romans and made into a sewer

The Etruscans l l l Apollo of Veii 6 th century BCE Veii, Italy Done in terracotta, easily sculpted but also delicate Masterpiece of Etruscan Art From top of temple

Etruscan Art l l She- Wolf 500 BCE Rome, Italy Typical Etruscan example of bronze animals – the twins were added in the Renaissance – this is now the symbol of the city of Rome

Etruscan Art l l l Chimera 400 BCE Arezzo, Italy Considered the best example of Etruscan bronze work Offered as a votive statue to the Etruscan god Tinia (Etruscan Zeus)

The Etruscans l l l Portrait of a Boy 300 -100 BCE Chiusi, Italy Boy appears to be looking away towards a far away land Etruscans were famous for their bronze work done in the lost wax method

The Etruscans l l l Capitoline Brutus 300 BCE Rome, Italy Considered to be done by Etruscan artists who were skilled in bronze work although it represents a famous Roman An early hero of the Republic, not the same person who killed Julius Caesar

Etruscan Art l l l Etruscan Temple Reconstruction 7 th century BCE Throughout Etruria, central Italy This is an artist reconstruction – based on descriptions from Roman sources, coins and tomb paintings Had deep porticos

Etruscan Art l l l Tomb of the Leopards 480 -450 BCE Tarquinia, Italy Inside the Necropolis of Monterozzi Known for its bright colors ad its great condition of preservation The man on the right holds an egg as the symbol of regeneration

Etruscan. Plan: an Etruscan temple. ca. Seventh century BCE.

Etruscan. Plan and reconstruction model of an Etruscan temple. ca. Seventh century BCE.

Tumulus from Cerveteri, Italy 7 th to 2 nd centuries B. C. E. Etruscan tombs resembled homes and businesses in many details

Etruscan Art l l Tomb of the Reliefs 3 rd Century BCE Cerveteri, Italy Richer people could afford sculpture in their tombs – here is the tomb of a blacksmith – note the reliefs of swords, armor, shields, etc

Etruscan Art l l l Tomb of Hunting and Fishing 520 BCE Architecture/painting Tarquinia, Italy Interior of tomb from necropolis – continued belief in similarity in life and after life

Etruscan Art l l l Sarcophagus of Married Couple 520 BCE sculpture Cerveteri, Italy Made of terracotta, coffin of a married couple – Etruscans believed after life was same as this life

Etruscan Art - Tombs

Etruscan Art l The end. . . l Next Lecture … l The Romans