Sarcophagus of the Spouses (Rome)

Etruscan Culture and Tombs

• Etruscans are significant to understanding ancient Italian civilization despite leaving no literature or historical records.

• Much of what we know about Etruscan culture comes from their tombs, which contained artwork and inscriptions.

The Sarcophagus of the Spouses

• The Sarcophagus of the Spouses is a crucial artifact found in an Etruscan tomb.

• There are two prominent versions: one at the Louvre in Paris and the other in a museum in Rome.

• This sarcophagus is a large ceramic container featuring two figures that serve as a lid.

• The figures embody a lifelike representation, contrasting with the stiffness of archaic Greek sculpture, like the Kouros figures.

Historical Context

• Geographical Background: The Etruscans occupied Northern Italy, contemporaneously with early Romans in Rome and Greek colonies to the south.

• Political Landscape: Romans were initially ruled by Etruscan kings until 509 BC, when the last Etruscan king was ousted.

Artistic Comparison

• Etruscan figures in the sarcophagus extend their arms and occupy space, conveying intimacy between the couple, contrasting with the separation in Greek representations (Kouros and Kore).

• Cultural Differences:

  • Etruscan art primarily used terracotta, while Greek sculptors preferred marble and sometimes bronze.

  • The Etruscan sarcophagus exemplifies a sense of sociability in its depiction of a couple, possibly engaging in a banquet scene.

Banqueting Scenes

• Likely intended to represent social gatherings, similar to Greek symposiums, yet here portrayed through a couple rather than solely male figures.

• Speculated objects:

  • The woman may hold a perfume bottle or a pomegranate, symbolizing eternity and abundance.

Artistic Technique

• The sarcophagus was likely modeled in several stages, with the artist burnishing the surface for a glossy finish.

• Due to its size, it was created in four pieces and fired separately.

Excavation and Preservation

• Discovered in the Banditaccia necropolis in Cerveteri, a key Etruscan city, the sarcophagus was found in 400 pieces, requiring careful reassembly.

• Observations reveal that original pieces and conservator repairs can be identified, preserving much of the sculpture's integrity.

Notable Features

• The eyes of the figures may have originally featured inlaid decorations, enhancing their lifelike appearance.

• Remarkable preservation of such an object allows for continued study of Etruscan art and culture.