Art Analysis Blog: Week 3

Etruscian, Sarcophagus of Seianti Hanunia Tlesnasa,150-140 B.C.E., https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/G_1887-0402-1

    The title of this piece is Sarcophagus of Seianti Hanunia Tlesnasa. It was created by the Etruscan people. The piece was discovered in 1886 in Tuscany. The function of this artwork was to hold the remains of an important figure and the statue that was found with the sarcophagus was an idealized version of this person. The piece is made out of terracotta and is 72in in length and 46in in height. It is dated to 150-140 B.C.E. As of right now this piece is located in the British Museum. The name of this woman is known because it was written across the base of the sarcophagus.

    The remains of this woman were found inside of the sarcophagus and it is estimated that she was about 50-55 years old when she died. Specialists were able to recreate what she would have looked like by analyzing her skull and sculpting the face. From the skeleton, it was found that she smashed her hip as a teenager and birthed at least one child. Her cause of death has not been determined but it was not violent, most likely a disease or illness.

    Though it is not absolutely confirmed, Seianti Hanunia Tlesnasa is thought to be a very prominent figure because of the elaborate sarcophagus, statue, and the valuable jewelry found on her body. The discovery of this piece is very important because it is one of the few women found in such a lavish burial, mostly men are found in this type of burial. This piece stands out because it was found mostly intact with no major damage visible. From what is visible in photographs, the pigments are still visible even though they are chipped and faded in some spots. Analysis on the clay and pigments shows that the lid and chest were made locally, near the burial, using a slipping technique to make it look like marble. The piece was then painted after firing. A mirror found in her hand was painted in blue-green paint, a pigment that is very expensive and further proves that this woman was a noble or prominent figure.

Even though I don't know much about this period of time, I'm pretty sure that the reclining pose is how one would have attended a feast in this time period. The statue looks relaxed and calm, like someone at home or at rest would appear. Sarcophagus are also found in other places like Egypt.
 

Works Cited
Swaddling, Judith and John Prag, "Seianti Hanunia Tlesnasa. The Story of an Etruscan Noblewoman. 
    The British Museum Occasional Paper Number 100," in British Museum, 2002, accessed September 
    9, 2021, https://bmcr.brynmawr.edu/2005/2005.01.03/

"Sarcophagus of Seianti Hanunia Tlesnasa," in Joy of Museums Virtual Tours, accessed September 9, 
    2021, https://joyofmuseums.com/museums/united-kingdom-museums/london-museums/british-
    museum/highlights-of-the-british-museum/sarcophagus-of-seianti-hanunia-tlesnasa/

"Sarcophagus," in The British Museum, accessed September 9, 2021, 
    https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/G_1887-0402-1

Comments

  1. ShawnSeptember 12, 2021 at 7:44 PM

    The statue really ties together the importance of the sarcophaguses in ancient history. Typically we think of Egyptian sarcophaguses as the go-to, but seeing this sculpture really is an eye-opener to how important the after-life is to many different cultures. It has a divine beauty in the way that it is structured while decorated in symbols with the intention of honoring the dead. This was a wonderful read and a beautiful piece of art. Thank you for sharing!!

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