[CHP. 6: THE ART OF THE ETRUSCANS]
P A G E |1
Part 2: Unit Exam Essay Questions
(from previous Art 260 tests)
(from AAT4)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Describe the development of Etruscan sculptural style. How does it compare with Greek sculpture chronologically?
Discuss the similarities and differences between Greek and Etruscan art and society. What are areas of mutual
influence?
Compare and contrast the Apollo of Veii with the Mars of Todi. Discuss style, function, medium, and iconography.
Compare and contrast Etruscan, Greek, and Egyptian funerary practices.
Describe the Etruscan view of death. Cite works as examples.
Discuss the differences between Greek and Etruscan painting styles.
(from other)
7.
8.
9.
What do Etruscan tombs tell us about the Etruscans' lives? Be sure to cite specific examples to illustrate your
discussion.
How did Egyptian and Etruscan funerary art differ? What common features did they share?
You have just discovered a new Etruscan necropolis. Describe what it looks like from the exterior, then explain the
tomb arrangement and the interior decorative programs.
AP Essay Questions: Etruscan
1.
2.
Tomb of the Reliefs (FIG. 3-4)
Question: “What culture made this tomb? How is it made? What do its contents suggests about the culture that made
it?” (5 minutes)
Students should recognize this as a rock-cut tomb of Cerverteri and discuss the contents as artifacts for the family’s
afterlife.
Apollo (FIG. 3-2)
Question: “What culture produced this statue? What elements of its style does it owe to other cultures that existed at
the same time?” (5 minutes)
Students should recognize this Etruscan statue and discuss some of it Greek archaic elements and the degree of
Orientalizing (classical gracefulness) that is suggested by the flowing robe.
Learning Goals (AAT4)
After reading Chapter 6, you should be able to do the following:








Identify, on a map of Italy, the area of Etruscan domination
Compare Etruscan sculpture styles with those of Greece
Compare the role of women in Etruria with their role in Greece, indicating how this is reflected in art
Discuss the sources of information about Etruscan architecture
Identify all the works and define the terms featured in the chapter
Describe the scene illustrated on the mirror from Volterra (c. 300 B.C.), and explain its meaning
Describe Etruscan funerary practices
Describe the style and iconography of Etruscan tomb paintings
Chapter Outline (AAT4)
THE ART OF THE ETRUSCANS, c. 1000–100 B.C.
Naval power in the Mediterranean (7th–5th century B.C.)
Etruscan kings rule Rome to 509 B.C.
Necropoleis (cities of the dead); ash urns; tomb frescoes; temples; mirrors; bronze sculpture
Status of women; augury
[CHP. 6: THE ART OF THE ETRUSCANS]
P A G E |2
Summary and Study Guide
Define or identify the following terms:
AAT4 Key Terms
calligraphy,
calligraphic
handwriting designed to be beautiful; calligraphic writing or drawing can be expressive as well as
beautiful.
canopic urn
relating to the city of Canopus in ancient Egypt.
finial
a small decorative element at the top of an architectural member such as a gable or pinnacle, or of a
smaller object such as a bronze vessel.
ideograph
a written symbol standing for a concept, usually formed by combining pictographs.
interlace
a form of decoration composed of strips or ribbons that are intertwined, usually symmetrically about
a longitudinal axis.
lost-wax (cire perdue)
a technique for casting bronze and other metals.
pictograph
a written symbol derived from a representational image.
pilasters
a flattened, rectangular version of a column, sometimes load-bearing, but often purely decorative.
sarcophagus
a stone coffin, sometimes decorated with a relief sculpture.
spacer
a small peg or ball used to separate metal, pottery, or glass objects from other objects during
processes such as casting, firing, and mold-blowing.
tempera
a fast-drying, water-based painting medium made with egg yolk, often used in fresco and panel
painting.
tufa
a porous, volcanic rock that hardens on exposure to air, used as a building material.
tumulus, tumuli
an artificial mound, typically found over a grave.
wattle and daub
a technique of wall construction using woven branches or twigs plastered with clay or mud.
Assignment
Read Chapter 2 and answer the following question in about a half page handwritten (legibly) in your notebook:
1. What are the general characteristics of an Etruscan temple? How is it similar to or different from a Greek temple?
2. How did the Etruscan view of death change and alter over time?
Also, define the starred(*) terms from the “Terms” section in your notebook. Use your own words and images to define and
describe the term.
Terms
(be able to identify these by sight, explain these in relation to art, and know an example of each in relation to a work of art)
*podium
*porch
sarcophagus (sarcophagi)
*Romulus and Remus
[CHP. 6: THE ART OF THE ETRUSCANS]
P A G E |3
Chronology:
about 700BC Etruscan culture distinct from other Italic peoples
753BC April 23: Romulus founds village of Rome
509BC Last Etruscan monarch expelled by Romans
430-323BC Late Classical [Greek Art]
323-30BC Hellenistic Period [Greek Art]
89BC Roman citizenship granted to all inhabitants of Italy
Art Works
(know these works by sight, title, date, medium, scale, and location (original location also if moved) and be able to explain and
analyze these in relation to any concept, term, element, or principle)
Sarcophagus with reclining couple, from cerveteri, italy, ca. 520 bce. Painted terracotta, 3’ 9 1/2” x 6’ 7”.
Capitoline wolf, from rome, italy, ca. 500–480 bce. Bronze, 2’ 7 1/2” high. Musei capitolini, rome.
Aule metele (arringatore), from cortona, near lake trasimeno, italy, early first century bce. Bronze, 5’ 7” high.
Summary and Study Guide
1.
List four architectural characteristics of Etruscan temples that distinguish them from Greek temples. (pages 89-90)
Etruscan temple
2.
Greek temple
Made of sun-dried brick and wood
Made of stone
Stairs only at front, main side to building
Front and rear of temple equal
Columns only in deep front porch
Colonnade surrounds temple
Terracotta statuary on the roofline
Stone statuary in pediments/friezes
List three stylistic characteristics of the Apulu (Apollo) from Veii (FIG. 3-2) that distinguish it as Etruscan. (page 90)
a. Figure is animated and face shows emotion
b. Figure is in motion, with arms gesturing
c. Figure is clothed; drapery consists of stylized patterns
Where was it originally placed?
On the roof of a temple (page 90)
3.
What were the favorite materials of Etruscan sculptors?
Terracotta (clay) (page 90)
4.
Why is the Etruscan Capitoline Wolf (FIG. 3-6) so famous?
The Capitoline Wolf is famous because it represents the mythology surrounding the founding of Rome. It also is
known for its compelling and intense portrayal of an animal. (page 91)
5.
List two features of the magnificent bronze figure of Aule Matele (FIG. 3-7) that show the influence of the Romans.
a. Aule Matele wears a Roman toga and boots (page 93)
b. Aule Matele’s face is veristic and follows Roman conventions of portraiture (pages 94-96)