1. Etruscan Art
8th-5th c. BCE

2. Human-headed cinerary urn, 675-650 BCE
Few written documents- mostly from tombs, and from religious writing
Used the Greek alphabet, but language is completely unique
Existed in the era of the bronze age- and the height of civilization coincides with the archaic period in Greece
Strongly linked culturally to the near east
Until 700 BC, tombs were simple- human remains were put in funerary urns along with equipment for the afterlife such as jewelry and weapons
700 BC- started to build elaborate tombs-Egyptian influence? Also, urns were built in the shape of humans
Never formed a unified nation- city states eventually fell to the Romans during the 4th and 5th centuries BC
Human-headed cinerary urn, BCE

3. Early Etruscan Tombs

4. Sarcophagus, c.520 BCE

5. Were influenced by the Greeks, but retained their own artistic identity
Tombs grew more elaborate despite Greek influence
Sarcophagus has Archaic smile
Both happy and majestic feeling
Done in terra cotta (soft clay) rather than in stone- able to make more rounded, softer forms
Historical 1st- shows the couple laughing and enjoying themselves in the after-life- the sarcophagus contained the body and the soul (unlike in Egypt)
detail

6. Tomb of Hunting and Fishing, 520 BCE
Elaborate murals in the burial chambers, perhaps to keep the spirit happy
Rhythmic quality similar to Minoan, but not weightless
Could be influenced by Egyptian tomb paintings, but its more lifelike
Tomb of Hunting and Fishing, 520 BCE

7. Musicians and two Dancers, 480 -470 BCE
Full of energy, females differ from males through coloring, just like in Egypt

8. Youth and Demon of Death, early 4th C. BCE
Later funerary beliefs are less cheerful- woman on the left is a demon (wings)
More thoughtful and melancholy- coincides with classical Greek solemnity
Humankind is in the hands of fate

9. Burial Chamber, tomb of reliefs, 3rd C. BCE
Demons decorate later tombs, as well as reproductions of weapons, armor, household items, domestic animals
Look like the interior of houses

10. Reconstruction of Etruscan Temple
No ruins because they were built of wood, unlike non-religious architecture
Design is similar to Greek temples- tall base (podium), deep porch, cella was subdivided into 3 parts- religion based on a triad of gods
No assigned space for sculptures

11. Unlike other temples, Veii did have sculptures lining the ridge of the roof
Muscular, details, in motion- more expressive than archaic Greek sculptures of the time
Made of terra cotta
Apollo from Veii, 510 BCE

12. She-Wolf c. 500 BC
Also from Veii (probably an artistic center
Totemic animal of Rome, also part of Etruscan mythology
Children added during the Renaissance- not original

13. Portraiture showed up only after the influence of the Greeks
Worked in Bronze- sensitive and gentle expression
Portrait of a Boy, 3rd century BC

14. Engraved mirror back, c.400 BCE
Became master craftsmen in metal
Produced small mirrors and statues for domestic use and export
Probably inspired by Greeks but not Greek subject- winged person looking at a liver of a sacrificial animal
Etruscans strongly believed in omens- will of the gods manifest itself through natural occurrences (thunderstorms, flights of birds)
Priests who could interpret omens were revered
Priests “read” the liver of sacrificed animals to make predictions
Engraved mirror back, c.400 BCE

15. Port Augusta, 3rd Century BCE
Masters of architectural engineering (according to Romans)
Very ordered urban planning- streets were centered along 2 main thoroughfares to form quarters that could be subdivided
Port Augusta was a fortified city gate and a façade- semi-circular true arches-first use of the integrated arch- combining with architectural orders which highly influenced the Romans

16. Construction of wedge-shaped blocks called voussoirs, each pointing to the center
Discovered by the Egyptians, but used mainly underground and never in temples
Used in Mesopotamia for city gates
Greeks confined its use to underground structures and gateways