The art treasures of the Etruscans
Karlsruhe's Badisches Landesmuseum presents a major exhibition of archaeological artifacts exploring the Etruscan civilization, one of Italy's first societies.
Where heaven and earth meet
Between the seventh and second century BC, the Etruscans used to decorate the interior of their tombs with wall paintings. They contain references to the afterworld while reflecting daily life realities expressing well-being and the joy of living. The picture above shows the reproduction of a burial chamber.
Fine arts in terracotta
In the southern part of the Etruscan empire, most tombs housed sarcophagi, while urns were usually used in the northern part. Over the course of time, the forms of the tombs varied following regional traditions, all while reflecting the personal wealth and social standing of the dead. Pictured here is the beautifully embellished lid of a terracotta urn.
An older couple
This terracotta urn lid dated to the late third century BC has been shaped in the form of an older couple. The belief in a life after death was highly important to the Etruscans. That's why they honored their dead with religious ceremonies, and made offerings to their tombs.
The egg of the Etruscans
This elaborately painted ostrich egg of Phoenician-Punic origin was produced in the eastern Mediterranean region in the middle of the seventh century BC. The Mediterranean played a significant role in the development of Etruscan culture in that it was an important trade route enabling the Etruscans to establish extensive trade contacts.
Black, exquisite and noble
In approximately 675/650 BC, the Etruscans developed a new kind of pottery called "bucchero." Items made in the bucchero style had a shiny black surface. This bucchero aryballos, a small flask with a narrow neck, is dated to the seventh century BC. It originated in Montalto di Castro, in the province of Latium.
Imported from Greece
The Etruscans did not produce all their ceramics themselves. Pictured here on the left is a Nikosthenic amphora. This type of ceramic was invented by an Athens-based potter called Nikosthenes in the late sixth century BC. It was produced specifically for export to Etruria. Pictured in the middle is a Caeretan hydria, a particularly colorful version of Greek vase painting.
Life-sized statues depicting speakers
The life-sized bronze statue of Etruscan Aule Metele can usually be admired in Florence. The so-called "Aringatore" (speaker) is clad in a Roman toga. The statue was created in the second to first century BC, giving proof of the amazing artistic achievements of this ancient people living on the Italian peninsula.
Practical and beautiful at once
People who were capable of creating intricate statues could obviously also produce their own bronze banquet ware. Their production has been praised by archaeologists for its outstanding design.
Pure gold
Another highlight of the exhibition are these golden earrings in the form of grapes. The techniques applied by Etruscan goldsmiths were even more elaborate than those used by the Phoenicians and ancient Greeks. The earrings originated from an ancient cemetery, the Banditaccia necropolis. Numerous such burial places once existed in Etruria, and were usually located outside of residential areas.
Feminine beauty
As the Etruscans developed their distinct cult of the dead, they also had a wide variety of burial objects. This female bust dating back to the period between the fourth and third century BC was also found in the Banditaccia necropolis.
What has remained of Hermes
Of the Hermes statue that once embellished the Temple of Veji, only this head remains. The origins of the Etruscan religion remain shrouded in mystery. In later periods, it came to be strongly influenced by the mythology of Ancient Greece in which Hermes was venerated as a God of protection, who would serve as the messenger of Zeus and lead the souls of the dead into the underworld.
Etruscan deities
Although the Etruscan religion came to be influenced by Greek mythology, its basis had absolutely nothing to do with Greece. According to the Etruscan faith, people were totally subdued by the will of the gods. What kind of deities were populating the Etruscan heaven? The Karlsruhe exhibition reconstructs the civilization's interpretation of heaven through a projection.