Etruscan sculpture

**Etruscan sculpture** was an important form of art made by the Etruscans. They lived in parts of northern and central Italy from the 9th century BC to the 1st century BC. Their art was influenced by Greek art, but it also had its own style.

Because very few written texts from the Etruscans survive, much of what we know about them comes from their art. Their sculpture helped historians understand their culture and history. It also influenced early Roman art.

Etruscan sculpture was not all the same. It changed over time and also differed between regions.

## Historical context 
The origin of the Etruscans is not fully known. Herodotus said they came from Anatolia, but Dionysius of Halicarnassus believed they were native to Italy. Modern scholars do not agree on this question.

By the 7th century BC, the Etruscans had built many cities and controlled a large area called Etruria. This region included parts of Veneto, Lombardy, Latium, and Campania. Later, they were defeated by the Romans, who absorbed their culture.

At their height, the Etruscans were very powerful. They had strong trade, farming, and sea travel. Their art played an important role in their society and influenced Roman art.

## Greece and Etruria 
The Etruscans had strong contact with Greece. They adopted parts of the Greek alphabet and mythology and imported many Greek goods, especially pottery.

## Private sculpture 
Etruscan sculpture was mainly used for private and religious purposes.

They did not usually make large public monuments or artworks to celebrate individuals. Instead, their sculpture was often used in tombs. They believed strongly in life after death, so tombs were made to look like houses for the dead and filled with objects.

Most Etruscan art is anonymous, and very few artists are known by name. One example is Vulca, who worked in Rome.

## Religious sculpture 
Religion was very important in Etruscan sculpture. Many works were made for tombs, such as statues of gods, votive objects, and funerary urns.

## Decorative sculpture 
Etruscan sculpture often focused on decoration rather than ideal beauty. Unlike the Greeks, they rarely showed nudity. Their figures are sometimes stylised or exaggerated, with less concern for realism.

They used sculpture to decorate temples and buildings, often without strict relation to the architecture itself. This decorative style is one of the most original parts of Etruscan art.

### Orientalizing 
During this time, trade increased with Greece and the East. Art became more detailed and rich. New materials and styles appeared, including jewelry and decorated pottery.

The first large religious statues also appeared in this period.

### Archaic 
Greek influence became stronger. Artists created more natural human figures. However, Etruscan sculpture remained more expressive and decorative than Greek sculpture.

Important works include the *Apollo of Veii* and the *Sarcophagus of the spouses*.

### Hellenistic 
In this period, Etruscan society was declining as Rome expanded. Sculpture became more simple and mass-produced.

Eventually, Etruscan art was replaced by Roman art.

### Other materials 
Stone was used less often. Bronze was important for smaller objects, and Etruscan artists were skilled in metalworking techniques like casting and engraving.

Interest in Etruscan art returned during the Renaissance. Discoveries like the *Chimera of Arezzo* helped bring attention to their culture.

In modern times, museums such as the National Etruscan Museum, the Louvre, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art hold important collections of Etruscan sculpture.

## See also 
* Etruscan civilization
* Hellenistic art
* German art
* Etruscan language

## References 
## Bibliography 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
*