Appliqué depicting the sun god Uśil (detail), Etruscan, Vulci. 500‒475 BC. Bronze, height: 6 1/2 in. (16.5 cm), width: 7 1/8–8 1/8 in. (18–20.7 cm). The J. Paul Getty Museum, Villa Collection, Malibu, California, 2017.126
Legion of Honor
The Etruscans: From the Heart of Ancient Italy
Discover the sophisticated civilization that shaped ancient Italy long before Rome rose to power. The Etruscans pioneered innovations in architecture, engineering, and art—from temples and hydraulic systems to winemaking and even the numerals we use today—yet their remarkable contributions remain largely forgotten. This groundbreaking exhibition features over 150 extraordinary artifacts including bronze and terracotta sculptures, exquisite gold jewelry, ceramics, and rare architectural elements, along with the longest-surviving example of Etruscan writing. Drawing on the latest archaeological research and discoveries, this is America's most comprehensive look at a culture that thrived for nearly a millennium and continues to influence us today.