Each student in FA111 has the opportunity to earn additional points towards their final grade by completing a thoughtful formal analysis paper of the primary source above found in our text in Chapter 6, p. 133.
Organize your paper to reveal the following research points:
1. Where is it from? And, why make such a thing?
2. What are the cultural attributes of this time period?
3. How was it made?
4. Line of the sculpture, including the figure's gesture
5. Value
6. Volume and mass
7. And, finally, find a picture from our contemporary world that the same theme is present
Remember to:
* Site your sources!
* Complete a thorough Bibliography
* Add an image of the Cerveteri Sarcophagus & your 'found' image
* Double spaced, 800 words -> Add word count at the bottom of your paper
* NO Google docs -> HARD COPY only!
* DUE: THURSDAY, NOV. 21st
The Sarcophagus of the Spouses is considered one of the great masterpieces of Etruscan art. It is a late sixth-century BCE Etruscan anthropoid sarcophagus from Caere, and is in the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia, Rome. It is 1.14 m high by 1.9 m wide (convert into inches), and is made of terra cotta which was once brightly painted. RE: Wiki
STUDENT PAPERS
Art History I
Due November 21, 2019
RECLINING COUPLE ON A SARCOPHAGUS From Cerveteri. c. 520 bce. Terra cotta, length 6′ 7′′ (2.06 m). Museo Nazionale di Villa Giulia, Rome.
The Cerveteri Sarcophagus was found in an Etruscan tomb in Banditaccia Necropolis. Necropolis is a cemetery at Cerveteri, one of the principal cities of the Etruscans. Today, there are two versions of this work, one in the Louvre in Paris and the other in the Etruscan Museum in Rome. Both are meant to represent and be appreciated as the same work. This is considered the
Due November 21, 2019
RECLINING COUPLE ON A SARCOPHAGUS From Cerveteri. c. 520 bce. Terra cotta, length 6′ 7′′ (2.06 m). Museo Nazionale di Villa Giulia, Rome.
The Cerveteri Sarcophagus was found in an Etruscan tomb in Banditaccia Necropolis. Necropolis is a cemetery at Cerveteri, one of the principal cities of the Etruscans. Today, there are two versions of this work, one in the Louvre in Paris and the other in the Etruscan Museum in Rome. Both are meant to represent and be appreciated as the same work. This is considered the
most important work ever found in one of these tombs. They represent the dead people we knew, we always want to keep a physical memory or reminder of the individuals and immortalize those memories. In this figure, the love between these two individuals was preserved and today it is a symbolic statue.
This statue was made in 520 BC, 11 years before the last Etruscan king moved out of Rome. It was found in approximately 400 broken pieces and reassembled. You can see, when you look closely at the sarcophagus, which pieces have been filled in by conservators and which pieces are original to the sculpture. Hopefully, people can see that the disks of the pupils are hollows and realize it's likely that something was originally there. We are very lucky to have such an intact object.
The Sarcophagus was made of terracotta, this means that the clay was modeled and baked and resulted in a ceramic product. Clay was used in the sarcophagus in order to create a flat piece with some relief sculpture on top. Some of the tools that were used to sculpt this figure we're a knife and needle tool or a bamboo skewer to draw or score with. To create this artwork the artists used their hands to help sculpt and mold the statue. Indeed, using the tools mentioned before and many others, the artist began to trace lines to implement the details and start creating the sculpture.
These figures represent two happy individuals with alert eyes and warm smiles. They greet us with lively gestures. The figures are essentially a lid that can be lifted off. “The man once raised a drinking vessel, addressing the viewer with the lively and engaging gesture of a genial host, perhaps offering an invitation to dine with them for eternity or join them in the sort of convivial festivities recorded on the walls of Etruscan tombs” (Stokstad, 133). Also as some artists state, it's possible that the woman was holding a perfume bottle. They have the archaic smile which is represented in Archaic sculptures as the lips are upturned, this is typically seen in Archaic sculptures before the 5th century BC. This figure is incredibly life-like. This is surprising because when we think about ancient Greek sculpture we think of the Kouros figures which are very stiff. However, in the sarcophagus, we immediately noticed that the figure is moving out into our space extending their arms.
This statue was made in 520 BC, 11 years before the last Etruscan king moved out of Rome. It was found in approximately 400 broken pieces and reassembled. You can see, when you look closely at the sarcophagus, which pieces have been filled in by conservators and which pieces are original to the sculpture. Hopefully, people can see that the disks of the pupils are hollows and realize it's likely that something was originally there. We are very lucky to have such an intact object.
The Sarcophagus was made of terracotta, this means that the clay was modeled and baked and resulted in a ceramic product. Clay was used in the sarcophagus in order to create a flat piece with some relief sculpture on top. Some of the tools that were used to sculpt this figure we're a knife and needle tool or a bamboo skewer to draw or score with. To create this artwork the artists used their hands to help sculpt and mold the statue. Indeed, using the tools mentioned before and many others, the artist began to trace lines to implement the details and start creating the sculpture.
These figures represent two happy individuals with alert eyes and warm smiles. They greet us with lively gestures. The figures are essentially a lid that can be lifted off. “The man once raised a drinking vessel, addressing the viewer with the lively and engaging gesture of a genial host, perhaps offering an invitation to dine with them for eternity or join them in the sort of convivial festivities recorded on the walls of Etruscan tombs” (Stokstad, 133). Also as some artists state, it's possible that the woman was holding a perfume bottle. They have the archaic smile which is represented in Archaic sculptures as the lips are upturned, this is typically seen in Archaic sculptures before the 5th century BC. This figure is incredibly life-like. This is surprising because when we think about ancient Greek sculpture we think of the Kouros figures which are very stiff. However, in the sarcophagus, we immediately noticed that the figure is moving out into our space extending their arms.
The figures are represented in archaic Greek are free-standing figures. However, here we have two figures that are next to each other with a tremendous sense of intimacy. Looking at the statue we see that the female not only wears a soft cap atop her head, but she also wears shoes with pointed toes that are characteristically Etruscan and the hair of the men is quite abstract with some little details. Both figures have elongated proportions. The couple reclining together on a single dining couch while eating and drinking, make reference to the sarcophagus squarely in the convivial social sphere and conviviality was central to Etruscan mortuary rituals (Becker, 1).
In this statue, we can see rough and broken lines between the figures, these lines make an overlap and create the illusion that the man is touching the woman’s arm. This is a three-dimensional figure in where line was used to create overlap. This figure is also making the gesture of offering perfume, a ritual that, along with the sharing of wine, was part of the funeral ceremony. The lines emphasize the love between the figures by connecting two different bodies through the lines. Long lines, as well as the short lines, are used to bring together the theme of this figure, which is love. For example, the long line under the bodies of the figures gives the illusion that they are lying tightly on a surface. These lines represent the comfort and closeness that the figures have with each other.
In this statue, we can see rough and broken lines between the figures, these lines make an overlap and create the illusion that the man is touching the woman’s arm. This is a three-dimensional figure in where line was used to create overlap. This figure is also making the gesture of offering perfume, a ritual that, along with the sharing of wine, was part of the funeral ceremony. The lines emphasize the love between the figures by connecting two different bodies through the lines. Long lines, as well as the short lines, are used to bring together the theme of this figure, which is love. For example, the long line under the bodies of the figures gives the illusion that they are lying tightly on a surface. These lines represent the comfort and closeness that the figures have with each other.
The element of design that was created by implementing shadow in this artwork is called value. This element was used in this figure to create a relationship between these two bodies. Value is very important because value changes are what creates contrast. The contrast in this three-dimensional work of art is needed so people can understand this work. For example, if there was no value contrast between the figures in this work and the background; you would have difficulty reading what is here. Value is notable in this figure in the little dark shades that illustrate the depth of surfaces. The purpose of the shadows and dark tones in this figure is to create the illusion that there is one body behind the other and that there are two bodies reclining on one surface. The use of shadows give value to the work and help it look more realistic because it gives more shape, texture, and details. Without the contrast of a dark shade we wouldn't be able to differentiate one figure from the other or even say that there are two figures touching each other.
In this figure, mass is a solid body or a grouping of visual elements like line, color, and texture. that compose a solid form of two bodies close to each other. The mass of this figure emphasizes its importance because if it wasn’t that big it wouldn’t be that significant and valuable to people. The mass has a lot to do with its importance.
In this figure, mass is a solid body or a grouping of visual elements like line, color, and texture. that compose a solid form of two bodies close to each other. The mass of this figure emphasizes its importance because if it wasn’t that big it wouldn’t be that significant and valuable to people. The mass has a lot to do with its importance.
https://listado.mercadolibre.com.mx/figuras-boda-pastel
The image presented above is a wedding cake topper. They are models or art pieces that sit
atop the wedding cake. This figure is a representation of a bride and groom in wedding attire. This custom was dominant in US weddings in the 1950s where it represented togetherness. Wedding toppers are figures that indicate shared hobbies, passion, connection, the unity of two souls, and even tell a story about the couple's history.
The Cerveteri Sarcophagus and the wedding cake topper share one powerful theme, which is love. Both figures are artworks that illustrate a married couple in their most lovely and passionate moments. These two figures even look alike because both men are surrounding the women with their arms. Indeed, the way lines were used in these two artworks help the artists express the importance of connection and love between two individuals.
Word count: 1191
The image presented above is a wedding cake topper. They are models or art pieces that sit
atop the wedding cake. This figure is a representation of a bride and groom in wedding attire. This custom was dominant in US weddings in the 1950s where it represented togetherness. Wedding toppers are figures that indicate shared hobbies, passion, connection, the unity of two souls, and even tell a story about the couple's history.
The Cerveteri Sarcophagus and the wedding cake topper share one powerful theme, which is love. Both figures are artworks that illustrate a married couple in their most lovely and passionate moments. These two figures even look alike because both men are surrounding the women with their arms. Indeed, the way lines were used in these two artworks help the artists express the importance of connection and love between two individuals.
Word count: 1191
Bibliography
Becker, Jeffrey A. “Sarcophagus of the Spouses (Rome).” Smarthistory.
Stokstad, Marilyn and Cothren Michael. Art a Brief History. 6th ed., Pearson, 2016. Becker, Jeffrey A. “Sarcophagus of the Spouses (Rome).” Khan Academy, 2014.
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Becker, Jeffrey A. “Sarcophagus of the Spouses (Rome).” Smarthistory.
Stokstad, Marilyn and Cothren Michael. Art a Brief History. 6th ed., Pearson, 2016. Becker, Jeffrey A. “Sarcophagus of the Spouses (Rome).” Khan Academy, 2014.
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The above image is of a sarcophagus made for a couple in 519 BC. Created from terra cotta clay, this sculpture is so massive, it is believed to have been fired in four different pieces, due to the fact that it simply would not fit in the kiln. It is one of the most recognizable and important masterpieces of Etruscan art. This piece was used as a large vault to bury their dead in, and the couple carved into the sculpture represent the Etruscan couple that it would be used for. Around the same time this piece was made, both the Romans and Greek colonies were occupying nearby land in Italy. In fact, the Etruscans were ruling over the Roman people, and in 509 BC, around the time the sculpture was made, the Romans overthrew the last Etruscan king, ending their rule over Rome.
There are many instances of line, or an element that is perceived to have no width only length, that play a big part in the sculpture's complete composition. For example, the implied line created by the figures outstretched hands make the sculpture look even more realistic as the hands extend off the sculpture and into the viewers space. In addition to this, when viewing the sculpture from the front, the lines created by the figure's bodies seem to flow together as one continuous line, further enhancing the idea that they are a couple. Also, the line of the smirk found on both figures' faces suggest a mood completely opposite of the sculptures actual use. The archaic smile is a smirk often found on sculptures before the fifth century before the common era. Just like the famous painting Moana Lisa, the archaic smile is found on both figures in the Sarcophagus of the Spouses. The archaic smile elucidates that the couple is feeling happy and joyful, complete opposite of the mournful feeling given off from what the sculpture is used for. Line, both implied and actual play a huge role in the sculpture.
Value, or the lightness and darkness of a given color, is also a big part of the piece. Without value, the sculpture would appear as a two-dimensional image rather than a sculpture in the round. Value appears on the sarcophagus in both how the terra cotta has aged and in the light and dark shadows created by the lighting. The value of the local color of the sculpture is essential to how realistic the sculpture looks. Unlike most pieces of art from the earlier time periods, the Sarcophagus of the Spouses is not artificially colored with bold paints or dyes. However, there are some value and color variations that come from the natural ageing of the piece. In addition to this, as stated before, the lighting of the room can make it look like the sculpture is multicolored even if it is in monochrome. There are also darker and lighter spots found on the sculpture that can only be assumed to be from the natural color of the clay and the imperfections found in the coloring of it. Both the shadows placed on the figures from the lighting of the room and the natural coloring of the clay used to create the sculpture give the Sarcophagus of the Spouses more of a realistic feel.
It is clear that both volume and mass, both properties of three-dimensional objects, are present in the Sarcophagus of the Spouses. Without even knowing the exact measurements of the sculpture, the fact that it was made to bury two fully grown people in it suggests that the sculpture has a lot of mass. The figures found on the top of the sculpture alone are life size. Then, added to the couch that the figures are laying on, the sculpture holds a lot of mass. In terms of volume, the Sarcophagus of the Spouses is completely hallow in order to hold the couple when they die.
Works Cited
Pepper, Jen. “FA2019.FA111.ArtHistory.Caz.” FA2019.FA111.ArtHistory.Caz, Blogger, 27 Aug. 2019, https://fa2019fa111caz.blogspot.com/2019/11/extra-credit-paper-formal-analysis.html.
Stokstad, Marilyn, and Michael Watt. Cothren. Art: a Brief History. Pearson, 2016.
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Extra Credit Paper
The Sarcophagus of the Spouses
Late sixth century BCE Etruscan
44” high, 74” wide, Terracotta
National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia, Rome
Late sixth century BCE Etruscan
44” high, 74” wide, Terracotta
National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia, Rome
The Sarcophagus of the Spouses w ere found in 1845 by Marquis Campana in the ancient Etruscan City, Caere, which is now modern day Cerveteri, Italy. The Etruscans made such a thing to represent couples in the afterlife. The portrayal of a married couple sharing a
banqueting couch is distinctly an Etruscan style. The cultural attributes to this time are important because it distinctly shows the couple in the afterlife laying together with a smile. The couple are making certain gestures that were typically associated during a funeral ceremony but the function remains uncertain because burial and cremation were typical practices of the Etruscans. Some believe that it’s function could've been a large urn designed to contain the ashes of the deceased. If it was meant to be an urn, the sculpture takes the form of a bed which the deceased would be resting in, which would answer the question as to why the couple is laying down. This sculpture was made out of terracota clay. During this time terracotta was one of the preferred materials in the workshops of Caere for funeral monuments and architectural decoration (Work The). The ductility of clay offered artisans numerous possibilities, compensating for the lack of stone suitable for sculpture in southern Etruria (Work The). The sarcophagus was made in four separate sections, and each section was fired separately and after itd assembly, the sarcophagus was painted to highlight details in the sculpting (Sarcophagus). Since then the paint on the outside has worn off.
Line is an element of design that is usually drawn or painted with a length so much greater than its width that it only seems to have length. When the line is visible it is considered an actual line whereas when it is invisible, the movement of the viewers’ eyes over the work that tends to follow a path that its creator intended, it is considered implied (Stokstad and Cothren XIV). This sculpture is three dimensional due to the lines represented in it. The lines of the couple’s body and the bed they are laying on give it its overall shape and design. The sculpture was created to have the lines distinguishing the bed from the couple as well but the lines also bring out the different levels and changes of the bodies. The figures gestures in this sculpture are
Line is an element of design that is usually drawn or painted with a length so much greater than its width that it only seems to have length. When the line is visible it is considered an actual line whereas when it is invisible, the movement of the viewers’ eyes over the work that tends to follow a path that its creator intended, it is considered implied (Stokstad and Cothren XIV). This sculpture is three dimensional due to the lines represented in it. The lines of the couple’s body and the bed they are laying on give it its overall shape and design. The sculpture was created to have the lines distinguishing the bed from the couple as well but the lines also bring out the different levels and changes of the bodies. The figures gestures in this sculpture are
quite important because it hints at us what they sculpture was used for which was most likely an urn. They are making the gesture of offering perfume, a ritual that, along with the sharing of
wine, was part of the funeral ceremony (Work The). It has been interpreted as belonging to a
banqueting scene, with the couple reclining together on a single dining couch while eating and drinking. Both faces also represent the classic archaic smile.
Value is defined as the lightness or darkness of tones or colors in a piece. In this piece the darker background emphasises the spouses and their figures. The value gives the piece contrast and accentuates all of the accents on the bodies like the hair and the hands. Mass is defined as a solid body or grouping of visual elements that compose a solid form. The whole design demonstrates mass in the aspect that it is all grouped together and is a whole. Volume is defined as a three dimensional form comprising length, depth, and width. The spouses are three dimensional with measurements of 44 inches high and 74 inches wide.
In conclusion The Sarcophagus of the Spouses is considered one of the greatest masterpieces of Etruscan art. With all the elements and principles incorporated it is clear that the artists knew what they were doing even by giving the piece a deeper meaning which was for the afterlife. Even though the piece was created many years ago the world today still appreciates all the history given to us. Also as art changes as the years go by the history of art is still appreciated by the people of today including The Sarcophagus of the Spouses.
wine, was part of the funeral ceremony (Work The). It has been interpreted as belonging to a
banqueting scene, with the couple reclining together on a single dining couch while eating and drinking. Both faces also represent the classic archaic smile.
Value is defined as the lightness or darkness of tones or colors in a piece. In this piece the darker background emphasises the spouses and their figures. The value gives the piece contrast and accentuates all of the accents on the bodies like the hair and the hands. Mass is defined as a solid body or grouping of visual elements that compose a solid form. The whole design demonstrates mass in the aspect that it is all grouped together and is a whole. Volume is defined as a three dimensional form comprising length, depth, and width. The spouses are three dimensional with measurements of 44 inches high and 74 inches wide.
In conclusion The Sarcophagus of the Spouses is considered one of the greatest masterpieces of Etruscan art. With all the elements and principles incorporated it is clear that the artists knew what they were doing even by giving the piece a deeper meaning which was for the afterlife. Even though the piece was created many years ago the world today still appreciates all the history given to us. Also as art changes as the years go by the history of art is still appreciated by the people of today including The Sarcophagus of the Spouses.
The Meeting Place Statue
Paul Day, 2007
30’ high, 20 long ton
St. Pancras Railway Station, London
Paul Day, 2007
30’ high, 20 long ton
St. Pancras Railway Station, London
Works Cited
“Work The ‘Sarcophagus of the Spouses.’” The "Sarcophagus of the Spouses" | Louvre Museum | Paris, www.louvre.fr/en/oeuvre-notices/sarcophagus-spouses.
Stokstad, Marilyn and Cothren, Michael W. “Art: A Brief History.” 6thedition, Pearson,2016. “Sarcophagus of the Spouses.” History 2701 Wiki,
history2701.fandom.com/wiki/Sarcophagus_of_the_Spouses.
824 word count
“Work The ‘Sarcophagus of the Spouses.’” The "Sarcophagus of the Spouses" | Louvre Museum | Paris, www.louvre.fr/en/oeuvre-notices/sarcophagus-spouses.
Stokstad, Marilyn and Cothren, Michael W. “Art: A Brief History.” 6thedition, Pearson,2016. “Sarcophagus of the Spouses.” History 2701 Wiki,
history2701.fandom.com/wiki/Sarcophagus_of_the_Spouses.
824 word count