Antiquity Etchings: Youthful Aphrodite and Woman with Youth

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Two etchings from the 'Collection of Etruscan Greek and Roman…
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Two etchings from the 'Collection of Etruscan Greek and Roman Antiquities from the cabinet of the Hon. Wm. Hamilton', published by P.F.H. D'Hancvarville, Naples 1766-7, handcoloured, one depicting five naked youths disporting themselves to Aphrodite, the other of a woman and a youth. The largest 28 x 52 cm

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  • Etruscan - The Etruscans were pre-Roman people who mainly inhabited central and part of north Italy, in the area corresponding to Tuscany. The civilisation was active from around 700BC until their assimilation into the Roman Empire in around the 4th century BC.

    With the increasing importance of Rome they were virtually wiped out, for Rome would not tolerate a competitive civilization. Many Etruscan rituals and aspects of their culture were taken over by Rome: Etruscan funeral games became the Roman gladiatorial combats and the science of divination came from the Etruscans.

    They were also incredible craftsmen in precious metals. It was said that the famous Etruscan Sibylline books of received wisdom were burnt by Rome and that the emperor Claudius was the last person who could read Etruscan, a language that is still largely undeciphered.

    Black and red figure vases attributed to the Etruscans provided the basis for the Etruscan style of furniture, decorative arts and decoration first seen in Louis XVI furniture in the 1760s, and then adapted by Robert Adam in England.

    The style was characterised by the use of the red and black colourways of the vases, together with motifs such as lions, birds, sphinxes and griffins.

    Josiah Wedgwood was inspired by the civilisation, and in 1769 he opened his new ceramic factory at Stoke-on-Trent, naming it "Etruria Works". Using the modeller John Flaxman, he produced wares based on what was thought at the time, to be Etruscan themes.

    At the end of the 18th and in the early 19th century, Etruscan themes were seen in glass, jewellery and furniture, and in the 1820s Coalport China produced a range of wares based on the Etruscan themes.

    Around that time it was discovered that the archaeological treasures attributed to the Etruscans were of Greek origin, but the description of them as "Etruscan" continued.
  • Etruscan Revival Style - The Etruscan revival style is based on the ancient art and architecture developed by the Etruscan civilization that lived in central Italy between the 8th and 3rd centuries BCE. In ceramics and decorative arts the Etruscan style is characterised by its ornate and intricate designs, as well as its use of vibrant colours. Etruscan pottery was often decorated with scenes from daily life, myths and legends, and animal and floral motifs, rendered in relief or painted. Etruscan metalwork, such as jewellery and vessels, also displayed a high degree of skill and sophistication, with intricate designs featuring mythical creatures and animals. Additionally, the Etruscan style is known for its use of the bucchero technique, which involved creating a black, matte surface on pottery by reducing the oxygen in the firing process. This style of decoration was widely adopted by other cultures in the ancient Mediterranean world.
  • Aphrodite / Venus - In Greek mythology, Aphrodite is the goddess of love, desire and beauty, whilst in Roman mythology she is called Venus.

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