Etruscan Culture

Art:

Etruscan art is closely related to that of the Greeks. It also resembles art found in Egypt and Asia minor. Most of the art found in Etruria and surrounding areas exhibits Italian elements and reflects the Etruscan's religious beliefs. Most present day knowledge of any Etruscan art comes from tombs in Etruria.

 

Architecture:

No Etruscan buildings remain standing today, unlike the many in Rome. This is due to the fact that most buildings were built of wood and brick. Ceramic models and traces of late stone structures suggest that temples were built in enclosures and had tiled, gabled roofs supported by pillars, like those of Greece.

Most Etruscan cities were laid out in the shape of a quadrangle, with fortifications and encompassing walls enforced with double gates. Many of these architectural methods were also used outside of Etruria. As with Etruscan buildings, no homes stand today either. However, information in tombs suggests that Etruscan houses were similar to those of Rome and had 1-3 rooms. Like Rome, the Etruscans had aqueducts, sewers, and bridges.

Sculpture

Like most ancient peoples. the Etruscans created art not for its own sake, but for utilitarian or religious purposes. As a result of this, no artists are known by name and little sizable art is known to exist. Of those pieces that do exist, however, the most famous are in terra cotta, or baked clay. Another well known form of Etruscan art is bronze sculpture. Bronze was commonly sculpted into animals.

Painting

Surviving Etruscan paintings consist chiefly of murals on the stone of walls and ceilings of tombs. In paintings of the early period, the colors are bright and flat, and the drawing strong. Most paintings are of religious events. Later paintings depict the fall of the Etruscans and are gloomy in feeling.

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