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Student Sourcebook 2004
International School of Painting, Drawing,
and Sculpture in Umbria, Italy
Originally one of the most powerful cities of the Etruscan empire, founded in 12-13C BC, it was defeated by Rome in 281 BC. The Tarquin kings ruled Rome until the advent of the republic. After the son of the last Tarquin king raped the Roman matron Lucrezia, who then committed suicide, a popular uprising led to the creation of the Roman Republic in 509 BC.
The National Museum of Tarquinia (Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Tarquinia) 9-2 PM (closed Mondays). Housed in a 15C palace, an incredible collection of Etruscan and Greek art.
Courtyard and ground floor - stone sarcophagi from the 7-3C BC, carved in low relief, sometimes with a reclining sculpted figure of the deceased on top.
First floor - beautiful chronologically displayed collection of Etruscan, Corinthian, Attic ceramics, coins, jewelry. Black and red figured Greek (6C BC) vases were extensively imported by the Etruscans.
Second floor - Two Winged Horses, (3 or 4C BC) a terra-cotta sculpture excavated on the steps of the nearby temple of the Queen's Altar. Also on this floor are several reconstructed tombs.
Necropolis - the painted tombs of Tarquinia are in a vast and eerie landscape, the site of the original ancient city. Only a few are open to view at one time. These paintings of the 6-1C BC give us not just a look at the Etruscan aesthetic and way of life, but also a glimpse of the tradition of Greek painting, of which practically nothing, other than copies, or vase paintings and mosaics, remains.
Back to Contents... the
Student Sourcebook 2004
International School of Painting, Drawing,
and Sculpture in Umbria, Italy