L'arte etrusca

Summary

The Etruscans, who settled in the region of Etruria (modern-day Tuscany and Lazio) around the 8th century BC, significantly influenced early Italian civilization. Their society was organized into city-states ruled by kings, with a unique culture enriched by Greek influence, seen in their art, architecture, and religious practices. Etruscan cities were strategically placed for trade and defense, with distinct features like orthogonal layouts and defensive walls. Their art, especially funerary, depicted lively scenes and was characterized by vibrant colors. They also excelled in sculpture, creating iconic works in terracotta and bronze, including the famous Chimera of Arezzo and the Arringatore statue.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Etruscans settled in Etruria, covering parts of Tuscany, northern Lazio, and Campania, beginning in the 8th century BC.
• 😀 Between the 7th and 6th centuries BC, the Etruscans expanded their territory across plains, reaching areas like Danja and Campania.
• 😀 By the 4th century BC, the Etruscan territories were gradually conquered by the Celts in the Po Valley and the Romans in Etruria.
• 😀 Etruscan society was organized into city-states governed by monarchs called 'Lucumones,' and united under a federation called the Dodecapolis.
• 😀 Etruscan cities were strategically located on fertile tufo plains or hilltops, optimized for agricultural activities and controlling trade routes.
• 😀 Etruscan cities followed an orthogonal layout, with main roads and secondary streets forming a grid of city blocks, enclosed by defensive walls made of dry-laid stone blocks.
• 😀 Etruscan temples were built with a podium, a high platform, and a roof made of wood, supported by columns and decorated with terracotta sculptures.
• 😀 The 'Tuscan Order,' as defined by Vitruvius, was a distinctive architectural style similar to the Doric order, characterized by simple columns with square bases and no fluting.
• 😀 Etruscan tombs, often resembling houses, were constructed to house the deceased, with frescoed walls depicting scenes of daily life, banquets, and funerary rituals.
• 😀 Etruscan frescoes, found in necropolises like Tarquinia and Vulci, feature bold outlines and flat, uniform colors, with the use of blue for men and pink for women.
• 😀 Etruscan sculpture was influenced by Greek archaic art, with a focus on religious and funerary needs, using materials like terracotta and bronze for statues and funerary urns.
• 😀 The Chimera of Arezzo, a famous Etruscan bronze statue, depicts a mythical creature with the body of a lion, the head of a goat, and a snake tail, showcasing intricate realism.
• 😀 The Arringatore statue, discovered in 1566, represents an Etruscan aristocrat in a gesture of prayer or oration, highlighting realistic, unidealized portrayals of human figures.

Q & A

Where did the Etruscans settle and what regions did they control?

The Etruscans settled in Etruria, which includes parts of central and northern Tuscany and the upper Lazio region. They expanded their territories into the plains of Danja and Campania between the 7th and 6th centuries BC.

What happened to Etruscan territories starting from the 4th century BC?

Starting in the 4th century BC, Etruscan territories were gradually conquered. The northern territories were taken over by the Celts, while the Etruscan cities themselves were conquered by the Romans by 295 BC.

How was the Etruscan society organized?

Etruscan society was organized into city-states, each ruled by a monarch known as a 'lucumone.' These cities were united in a federation called the 'Dodecapoli,' which included cities like Arezzo, Fiesole, and Cerveteri.

What was the architectural layout of an Etruscan city?

Etruscan cities were designed with a rectangular grid layout, featuring main streets (plateia) that were orthogonal to secondary streets (stand). The cities were surrounded by defensive walls made from large, dry-laid stone blocks, often made of limestone or tuff.

How were Etruscan temples constructed and what did they look like?

Etruscan temples were built on a raised platform (podium) and consisted of two rows of four columns and three internal chambers dedicated to different deities. They were constructed using perishable materials like wood and terracotta for roofs and columns, while brick was used for walls.

What is the Tuscan order of architecture, and how is it different from the Doric order?

The Tuscan order, defined by Vitruvius, is an architectural style used by the Etruscans. It is similar to the Doric order but features a simpler, unadorned base and a capital that lacks the elaborate decoration seen in Doric columns.

How were Etruscan tombs designed and what were they like?

Etruscan tombs were designed to resemble houses and could consist of one or more chambers. They were often decorated with frescoes and contained items such as food, drinks, tools, and furniture for the deceased’s afterlife.

What types of Etruscan tombs are there?

Etruscan tombs included hypogeic tombs, which were dug into the earth or rocky cliffs; tumulus tombs, which were mounds of earth shaped like artificial hills; and edicula tombs, which were built above ground in the form of small temples.

What themes were commonly depicted in Etruscan frescoes?

Etruscan frescoes primarily depicted scenes of funerals, banquets, dances, games, and hunting. These artworks were painted directly on the wet plaster of the tomb walls using the fresco technique.

What materials were used in Etruscan sculpture, and what were its characteristics?

Etruscan sculpture was primarily made from terracotta, bronze, and stone. It was heavily influenced by Greek art, especially in the depiction of human figures. Etruscan sculptures were often created for religious or funerary purposes and typically featured realistic, non-idealized portrayals of individuals.