An Etruscan Affair: The Impact of Early Etruscan Discoveries on European Culture

Description

This fascinating new publication considers how the discovery of Etruscan artefacts have inspired artists, architects, nobility, scholars and travellers to Italy from the 16th through to the 20th century, from Ferdinando de' Medici to Piranesi and Federico Fellini. Subjects include the reclaiming of Etruscan identity and its influence on Italian political history, the collecting and reproduction of Etruscan artefacts as well as new insights into the lives and activities of early British Etruscologists and their publications of sites and the rich and exciting artefacts found there. Other papers look at Etruscan concepts in jewellery, gems and pottery. Whilst the influence of the Etruscans on European culture may not be altogether surprising, the volume provides evidence of how knowledge of the Etruscan civilisation spread to the United States of America, including the tomb of a Civil War officer that was inscribed with an intriguing Etruscan-like inscription. The volume vividly shows the impact that Etruscan discoveries have had on the public imagination, in particular the Campanari display of reconstructed Etruscan tombs staged in Pall Mall in 1837, which was the first archaeological `blockbuster' exhibition of its kind. The British Museum acquired much of the material in this exhibition, and in fact the excavation of Etruscan tombs with their stunning wall-paintings was to have a vital impact on displays in the major museums of Europe. That said, some Etruscan material was among Sir Hans Sloane's collection, the founding collection of the British Museum, and it has been on display since the Museum first opened its doors to the public in 1759.

Judith Swaddling is Curator of the Etruscan collections at the British Museum. She organised the Etruscan World gallery at the Museum and has been responsible for numerous conferences, lectures, workshops and publications concerning the Etruscans. She is a member of the Istituto Nazionale di Studi Etruschi ed Italici and for many years has sought to bring the Etruscans to a wider audience.