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Sarcophagus of the Spouses

Sarcophagus of the Spouses is an anthropomorphic terracotta sarcophagus from the late 6th century BCE and a remarkable work of Etruscan art. It was discovered in 1881 during excavations in the Banditaccia necropolis in Cerveteri, ancient Caere, and is now in the National Etruscan Museum in Rome. Made around 530–520 BCE from four separately molded and fired parts, it measures 1.14 m by 1.9 m. The sculpture shows a married couple reclining together at a banquet in the afterlife, with the husband embracing his wife. Its smiling faces, almond-shaped eyes, and elongated braided hair are typical of Etruscan sculpture, as is the emphasis on expressive upper bodies. Traces of paint show that it was originally brightly colored.

Sarcophagus of the Spouses showing a smiling man and woman reclining together on a banqueting couch.
The Sarcophagus of the Spouses depicts a smiling Etruscan couple reclining together on a banqueting couch.
September 2017 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Sarcophagus of the Spouses terracotta sculpture of a reclining man and woman
The Sarcophagus of the Spouses shows a reclining man and woman in reddish-brown terracotta.
June 2016 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Sarcophagus of the Spouses showing two reclining terracotta figures, a man and a woman, with their arms extended.
The Sarcophagus of the Spouses depicts a reclining man and woman with stylized terracotta features.
June 2017 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Sarcophagus of the Spouses showing a reclining Etruscan man and woman with gentle smiles and outstretched hands.
The Sarcophagus of the Spouses depicts a reclining couple with expressive faces and relaxed, extended hands.
© Frank Axelsson · CC BY-SA 3.0
The Sarcophagus of the Spouses showing a reclining male and female figure with stylized features and blurred details.
The Sarcophagus of the Spouses with its reclining paired figures, captured with noticeable motion blur.
September 2017 © · CC BY-SA 4.0

Identification

TitleSarcophagus of the Spouses
Original titleSarcofago degli Sposi
TypeEtruscan anthropoid sarcophagus

Historical context

CultureEtruscan
DateLate 6th century BCE (ca. 530–520 BCE)

Discovery and provenance

FindspotBanditaccia necropolis, Cerveteri (ancient Caere)
Discovery date1881
Discovered duringExcavations
Condition when acquiredBroken into more than 400 fragments
Acquired byFelice Barnabei

Location and ownership

Related workA very similar sarcophagus from Cerveteri is in the Louvre Museum, Paris
Current locationNational Etruscan Museum at Villa Giulia, Rome

Physical characteristics

Probable contentsProbably contained the ashes of one or both deceased spouses
Dimensions114 cm high, 190 cm long
Figures representedA man and a woman

Materials

MaterialTerracotta

Technique

ConstructionMade from four separately molded and fired parts

History and restoration

Original appearancePainted in antiquity in bright colors; traces of paint survive

Iconography and meaning

InterpretationThe couple is shown as equal partners and as affectionate spouses in the Etruscan funerary banquet tradition
Greek comparisonFeasting couples are compared with Greek vase imagery, but Greek scenes usually show only men
Etruscan significanceA husband and wife sharing a banquet couch is a distinctive Etruscan motif
Depicted subjectA reclining married couple sharing a banquet in the afterlife
PoseReclining on a banquet couch (kline) with cushions

Appearance

Body treatmentUpper bodies are rendered in high relief, while the legs are flattened and schematically treated
CompositionThe figures face forward rather than toward each other, with emphasis on the upper half of the bodies, especially faces and hands
Color and surfaceOriginally painted; vivid color was part of the design
Facial styleSmiling faces with almond-shaped eyes and long braided hair
Female figureWears a head covering or tutulus, a cloak, and pointed-toed shoes
Male figureBare-chested, with a cloak or draped lower body, a beard, and his arm around his wife

Style

StyleArchaic Etruscan style with distorted proportions rather than Greek idealized anatomy

Significance

Artistic significanceConsidered one of the masterpieces of Etruscan art

Creator

AttributionPossibly made by the same artist or workshop as the similar Sarcophagus of Cerveteri in the Louvre