5.5- Etruscan Art and Architecture

necropolis

Greek “city of the dead” a large burial area or cemetery

tumulus

form of the mound of a typical Etruscan tomb

• covered one or more subterranean mulit-chambered tombs cut out of local limestone or tufa-underground tomb chambers resembled the houses of the living.

portico

a porch leading out to the entrance of a building

pseudo peipiteral

A type of architectural design that simulates the appearance of a peripteral temple but lacks full columns on all sides.

terra-cotta

a clay-based unglazed or glazed ceramic, where the fired body is porous.

sarcophagus

coffin

Etruia/Italy during the 6th and 7th century

During 750 BCE,the Greeks dominated Italy’s southern coastal regions. In the 6th and 7th century, the Etruscans gained control of northern and central Italy.

• end of first millennium BCE- Romans took Etruscan power and unified Italy and established an empire, Mediterranean region

Etruscan Society

Etruscans were metal workers and sailors-traded with the Greeks. Etruscan’s were deeply influenced by Greeks expect role of women, who were educated.

• many female deities in Etruscan religion

Materials used in early Etruscan art

Iron, tin, copper, and silver were all mined in Etruia. Making Etruscans wealthy and were buried in clothes and jewelery.

example of early Etruscan art

fibula, which was found in an Etruscan tomb.

fibula

is a clasp that works like a safety pin. It is expensive and excessively large and was clearly intended as a status symbol.

• 7th century Etruscans= wealthy

• gold- Etruscan craftsman technique reposse

Etruscan temples

Specifically, they seem to be inspired by Greek buildings, with their pediments and columns, and the cella behind the porch. there is a flight of stairs leading up to the principal entrance, not a uniform set of steps surrounding the whole building.

Etruscan Sculpture placement

were placed on the rooftops of temples, unlike in Greek temples, to announce the presence of the deity within.

materials used in Etruscan temples

made of mud-brick and wood. Superstructure of Etruscan temples built from wood and mud brick that was often covered in stucco, plaster, or painted for decoration. The temple had a stone or tufa (volcanic rock) foundation, and the roof was covered in protective terra cotta tiles.

characteristics of the Tuscan order

• wood

• unfluted

• simplified

• similar to Doric

Tuscan order contrast to Greek architecture

Geometrically wooden column, simple, wooden roof w/terra cotta tiles, walls=sun-dried brick (mud brick), columns on front only, seen as ornate home for statues of Etruscan gods, place of shelter, overhang cornice

key features of the Etruscan temple

It was originally painted and had 3 cellas which could be entered only from the front. Each cells was dedicated to either Zeus, Hera, or Athena

greek Parthenon and Etruscan temple

contrast

• masonry/stone/marble

• Greek Doric order

• pediment sculpture

• one cella/naos

• columns closer together

compare

• pediment, entablature, column, portico, statue on roof, podium

• Tuscan order, material, location, entrance.

material of Etruscan sculptures

terra Cotta- a clay based unglazed or glazed ceramic, where the fired body is porous. Difficult to work with on a large scale.

• Etruscan artists excelled at making monumental sculpture

example of Etruscan Sculpture

life-size figure of Apollo-god of light music, son of Zeus. Originally part of a four figure scene depicting one of Hercules, sculpture survived from temple of Veii

Cerveteri, Italy

Where was the Etruscan necropolis located?

etruscan sarcophagus

a coffin that was cast in sections. The Etruscans used this to contain the ashes of the deceased, because cremation was the most common means of dead in Italy.

portrait coffin

evolved from jars with sculpted heads.

• canopic jars- organs

Etruscan tomb

tumulus or form of mound. covered one or more subterranean multi-chambered tombs cut out of local limestone or tufa- underground tomb chambers resembled the houses of the living.

• connection between Etruscan houses of dead to the living

• accommodated several generations of a single family

• walls were gouged out of tufa and painted with stucco reliefs

• stools, mirrors, drinking cups

Theme of the Tomb of the Triclinium

might seem surprising in a funereal context, but it is important to note that the Etruscan funeral rites were not somber but festive, with the aim of sharing a final meal with the deceased as the latter transitioned to the afterlife.

Banquet that accompanied the burial

accompanied the burial included the spirit of the deceased, as a portion of the meal, along with the appropriate dishes and utensils for eating and drinking, would then be deposited in the tomb.

How Etruia fell to Rome

Veii fell to Romans 396 BCE after 10 year battle

The Classical period 350 BCE was Greece’s “Golden Age,” but not for the Etruscans…..during this time Etruscan power in the sea declines, as does their property

Rome-350 BCE began to appropriate Etruscan territory

Rome is growing power in central Italy.

1st century Etruria had been incorporating into expanding Rome

Etruscan art during their loss of power

During this time we see a decline in Etruscan tombs. In bronze etruscans continued to excel

Legend of Romulus and Remus

Sculpture larger than life depicts the she-wolf nursed Romulus and Remus after they were abandoned as infants

When the twins grew to adulthood, they fought, and Romulus killed his brother

753 BCE Romulus founded Rome and became the city’s king

This sculpture in time has a beloved and powerful symbol of Rome even though it is Etruscan

The babies were added during Renaissance

Etruscan art after the Romans took over

Etruscan art became Roman Art. The subjects were distinctly Roman (toga, hair, laced boots) but Etruscan in name only.

Importance of Etruscans

Etruscans had much control of north and south central Italy including Rome

Many religious practices of the Romans came from Etruria

Etruscans were superior engineers

Base of civilization for Mediterranean was Etruscan

Influence absorbed by Rome