Overview

The Art and Culture of Ancient Etruria as presented by Professor Will Adams.

The Etruscan People

First Historic People in Italy:

• The Etruscans were the earliest significant civilization in Italy, emerging around the 9th century BCE, and they played a crucial role in shaping early Roman culture.

Undeciphered Writing:

• Their writing system remains a mystery as it has not yet been fully deciphered, with only a handful of inscriptions understood. This lack of comprehension has led to diverse interpretations of Etruscan culture and history.

Religion:

• Etruscan religion was polytheistic, sharing similarities with both the Egyptian and Greek pantheons, emphasizing a strong belief in the afterlife. They worshipped numerous deities, the most notable being Tinia (akin to the Roman Jupiter) and Uni (similar to Roman Juno). Sacred rituals often involved augury, or seeking omens, which played a significant role in their societal decisions.

Art Focus:

• A considerable portion of Etruscan art is devoted to funerary contexts, reflecting their beliefs in an afterlife and the importance they placed on burial practices. Tomb paintings and sculptures primarily depict scenes from daily life and mythology, which were thought to accompany the deceased in the afterlife.

Etruscan History

Three Periods of Etruscan History:

1. Villanovan Period (9th - 8th centuries BCE):

   • This period is analogous to the Greek Geometric Period in art, characterized by pottery with geometric designs and the use of bronze.

2. Orientalizing Phase (750 – 575 BCE):

   • This marks the height of Etruscan power, where trade with Eastern cultures introduced new artistic techniques and styles, influencing their art and architecture.

3. Archaic Period (550 – 350 BCE):

   • Coincidences with the Greek Archaic Period, exhibiting a strong Greek influence on sculpture and pottery. This era yielded most Etruscan artworks, showcasing an evolution towards more naturalistic forms.

Etruscan Art Characteristics

Material Usage:

• Extensive use of bronze and terracotta, with many artifacts created using the lost-wax technique for bronze casting. Terracotta was favored for sculptures and architectural decorations.

Proportions:

• Human figures are often not proportionate, as Etruscans valued individual characteristics and expressions over idealized forms typically seen in Greek art.

Themes:

• Many artworks focus on mythological subjects, including animals, heroes, and gods, with a predominant concentration on funerals and afterlife themes. These artworks often included inscriptions that provided insights into Etruscan beliefs and values.

Notable Etruscan Artworks

• Apollo of Veii (circa 750 BCE):

  • Location: Found in Veii, Italy.

  • Material: Terracotta sculpture recognized as an Etruscan masterpiece, originally part of a temple dedicated to Apulu, the Etruscan equivalent of Apollo.

• A Reconstructed Etruscan Temple (700-539 BCE):

  • Structure: Columns were smooth, lacking a surrounding colonnade, and featured a singular staircase, differing from Greek designs.

  • Sculptural Detail: Notable emphasis on terra-cotta sculptures adorning roofs and pediments, illustrating the Etruscans' unique architectural style.

• Portrait of a Boy (circa 300-100 BCE):

  • Location: Discovered in Chiusi, Italy.

  • Material: Bronze sculpture depicting a boy in a contemplative pose, showcasing Etruscan skills in bronze using lost-wax casting that offered intricacy and detail.

• Capitoline Brutus (circa 300 BCE):

  • Location: Unearthed in Rome, Italy.

  • Material: Celebrated bronze work believed to be crafted by Etruscan artists, representing a notable Roman figure, often associated with themes of republicanism and virtue.

• L'Arringatore (The Orator) (circa 75 BCE):

  • Location: Found in Perugia, Italy.

  • Style: Free-standing bronze sculpture representing Aulus Metellus, showcasing Roman attire and public speaking, indicative of Etruscan cultural assimilation into Roman society.

Etruscan Necropolis

The Necropolis at Cerveteri (7th - 2nd centuries BCE):

• Location: Cerveteri, Italy.

• Architecture: Tombs (tumuli) constructed to resemble homes and businesses, reflecting the Etruscan belief that life continued after death.

Tomb Design and Arrangements:

• Structural Characteristics: The tombs feature porous volcanic tuff, providing durable yet easy to carve building materials for intricate interior designs.

• City-Like Arrangement: Tombs organized in blocks, creating streets within the necropolis, analogous to urban planning of Etruscan cities.

Cultural Affinities and Diffusion

Cultural Resemblance:

• Etruscan tumuli closely resemble tholos tombs of the Mycenaeans, hinting at possible cultural diffusion, reflecting shared funerary practices and beliefs in the afterlife.

Tombs and Frescoes

• The Tomb of the Reliefs (3rd Century BCE):

  • Location: Cerveteri, Italy.

  • Details: Contains detailed reliefs and sculptures of weapons indicative of the occupant's profession as a metal worker, illustrating the significance of one's occupation even in death.

  • Interior Design: Crafted to resemble an Etruscan dining room, highlighting their customs surrounding meals and social gatherings.

• The Tomb of Hunting and Fishing (520 BCE):

  • Location: Tarquinia, Italy.

  • Artistic Highlights: Interior frescoes vividly depict leisure activities, making them notable for early representations of swimmers and showcasing the importance of leisure in Etruscan society.

• Sarcophagus of Married Couple (circa 520 BCE):

  • Location: Found at Cerveteri necropolis.

  • Material: Terracotta funeral coffin illustrating Etruscan beliefs about the afterlife through detailed representations of the couple reclining together, emphasizing their bond and social status.

Etruscan Artistic Style

Naturalism:

• Etruscan sculptures are noted for their lifelike appearance, which is distinct from the idealized forms often found in Classical Greek art. This realism relates to the verist style adopted by later Romans, highlighting a cultural continuity in artistic representation.

Iconic Etruscan Sculptures

• The Capitoline She-Wolf (circa 500 BCE):

  • Location: Found on Rome’s Capitoline Hill.

  • Material: Bronze, recognized for its portrayal of the myth of Romulus and Remus, symbolizing the founding myth of Rome and the connection between Etruria and early Roman identity.

• The Chimera of Arezzo (400 BCE):

  • Location: Arezzo, Italy.

  • Material: This bronze sculpture depicts the legendary chimera, showcasing the advanced technique of lost-wax casting, and provides insight into the mythological narrations that influenced Etruscan artistry.