Villa Giulia: The Etruscans

My friend was right. The “new” Villa Giulia exhibits are bright and accessible.  It’s almost overwhelming how full of pottery and other artifacts the museum is. So, don’t think you can read every placard or spend time with every glass case of antiquities.

One of countless cases of beautiful pottery at Villa Giulia.

 

More pottery and artifacts

I decided to concentrate on the pieces that were personally interesting, lovely, or even humorous. Here are some of those pieces.

Ossuary in the shape of a hut

 

Large vessel made in the shape of a woman’s head

 

An engraved mirror, with a beautiful etching of an angelic female figure

 

A bronze lion’s head decorates a vessel

 

A vessel shaped like an adorable pig

 

A platter decorated with fish, including a spotted skate

 

Micro mosaic of a theater mask

 

Vessel with the head of a woman

 

Black vessel decorated with parading animals

 

Metal head of a horned and bearded figure

 

A beautiful head of a woman, her hair streaming in the wind

 

Male figure, still showing clear traces of paint

I particularly appreciated the Etruscan tomb, showing its delicate painting:

Looking in the tomb

 

The side of the tomb

 

Close-up of the vine motif on the ceiling of the tomb

The highlight of the visit, however, is the magnificent Sarcophagus of the Spouses, pictured at the top of this post.  Undoubtedly you’ve seen this in your art and history books over the years.  Its straightforward humanity is wonderful.  These ancient figures, a husband and wife, recline as if at a banquet.  The affection between them is apparent in the way the man “spoons” his wife, his arms around her, their feet lying together.  These are intimate representations of distinct and engaging individuals who look back at us from the past. They look friendly and engaging as if they’re about to start chatting with us.

The husband and wife

 

Their profiles in view, showing his ornate braided hairstyle

 

Her delicate hands, amid flowing garments

 

And their feet, his bare, hers in little pointed shoes

Perhaps a delicacy at their eternal banquet was something as exotic as this,

Ostrich egg shell

Yes, it’s an ostrich egg shell that has survived for how many thousands of years.

Something else I noticed at Villa Giulia follows in another post.

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In the heart of Rome's Historic Center, between the beautiful Spanish Steps and the famous Trevi Fountain, this luxury two bedroom, two bathroom apartment is surrounded by fine dining and fabulous shopping. It is within walking distance of the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and many other historic sites and museums, and near the subway, taxi stands, bus stops, and bike rental. Located in a traditional Roman palazzo, the apartment was fully renovated in late 2010 and is now available for vacation and short-term rental.