A brilliant culture once controlled almost the entire peninsula we now call Italy. This was the Etruscan civilization.
c. 800–500 B.C.E.
Beginner's Guide
What is Etruscan art?
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Ombra della sera
It may be a surprise to learn that this playfully elongated form is not a modern sculpture—it's an ancient Etruscan votive object.
The Regolini-Galassi tomb and the Parade Fibula
The assemblage of objects in the Regolini-Galassi tomb represents a broad geographic range and an aesthetic that indicates the influence of the ancient Near East.
The François Tomb
The François Tomb is chock-full of elaborate frescoes with complicated messages we may never fully understand.
Etruscan Necropolises of Cerveteri and Tarquinia (from UNESCO/NHK)
Doors to the afterlife, Etruscan tombs were happily decorated. But as war increased, that began to change.
Apulu (Apollo of Veii)
Confronting Hercules in the middle of his labors, this clay statue of Apollo strides forward.
Aule Metele (Arringatore)
An Etruscan in Roman clothing, this figure is a masterwork—made as Etruscan culture was slipping away.
Mars of Todi
Lighting struck this statue dedicated to the Etruscan god of war, marking it as a particularly sacred object.
Chimera of Arezzo
A vicious mythic beast, the Chimera is a terrifying mix of animals—that even attacks itself.
Tomb of the Reliefs
All signs point to a party: cushions, drinking equipment, and armor hung on the wall … but a party in a tomb?
Tomb of the Triclinium
Etruscan funerals were a celebration, where the living could share a final meal with the deceased.
Sarcophagus of the Spouses (Louvre)
Women in Etruscan society were far more active in public life than their Greek and Roman neighbors.
Sarcophagus of the Spouses (Rome)
The intimacy of this clay sculpture is unprecedented in the ancient world. What can it tell us about Etruscan culture?
