Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The Etruscans were the first major civilization on the Italian peninsula, yet the more well-known cultures of the ancient Greeks and Romans have overshadowed them. Exhibition curator Renée Dreyfus discusses organizing this comprehensive display that brings the Etruscans to the fore, featuring a diverse array of over 150 fascinating treasures from 28 museums.
“The Etruscans: From the Heart of Ancient Italy” is on view at the Legion of Honor from May 2 until September 20, 2026. Plan your visit today: https://famsf.art/yt-etruscans
Subscribe to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco: youtube.com/@FAMSF?sub_confirmation=1
About the Exhibition
famsf.org/exhibitions/etruscans-heart-ancient-italy
Who were the Etruscans? Togas, temples, hydraulic engineering, winemaking, and even “Roman” numerals, all widely credited to the Romans, were actually Etruscan innovations. The Etruscans thrived in what is now Italy for almost a millennium, from around 900 to 100 BC, before the rise of the Roman Empire. They laid the foundation for present-day architecture, engineering, and artistic achievements. Yet their culture remains overshadowed by ancient Greece and Rome.
Drawing on the latest archaeological discoveries and cutting-edge scholarship, this is the most comprehensive exhibition on Etruscan culture in the United States to date. Over 150 exquisitely crafted and well-preserved examples of bronze and terracotta sculpture, gold jewelry, ceramics, and architectural features, as well as the longest-surviving piece of Etruscan writing, reveal a legacy that continues to captivate today.
About the curator
Renée Dreyfus, George and Judy Marcus Distinguished Curator and Curator in Charge of Ancient Art, is known for her scholarly achievements, her role as a respected curator, and her long-standing institutional commitment. Dreyfus has enriched the Museums’ collection of ancient art with rare and significant acquisitions and has organized more than twenty successful exhibitions. She holds a PhD in Near Eastern art and archaeology from the University of California, Berkeley; an MA in Mediterranean studies from Brandeis University; and a BA in philosophy from Boston University.
About the “A Closer Look” series
youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5eMm5mgGrVAeif8BjSuRu_ew_ZZk3pjH&si=Fc55ywOTqqZaz1zj
This program is part of our “A Closer Look” series, a curatorial lecture series exploring both the development of the Museums’ distinct collections and their art historical significance. The series features in-depth presentations that highlight collection gems while demystifying creative practices that span thousands of years.
The Etruscans were the first major civilization on the Italian peninsula, yet the more well-known cultures of the ancient Greeks and Romans have overshadowed them. Exhibition curator Renée Dreyfus discusses organizing this comprehensive display that brings the Etruscans to the fore, featuring a diverse array of over 150 fascinating treasures from 28 museums.
“The Etruscans: From the Heart of Ancient Italy” is on view at the Legion of Honor from May 2 until September 20, 2026. Plan your visit today: https://famsf.art/yt-etruscans
Subscribe to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco: youtube.com/@FAMSF?sub_confirmation=1
About the Exhibition
famsf.org/exhibitions/etruscans-heart-ancient-italy
Who were the Etruscans? Togas, temples, hydraulic engineering, winemaking, and even “Roman” numerals, all widely credited to the Romans, were actually Etruscan innovations. The Etruscans thrived in what is now Italy for almost a millennium, from around 900 to 100 BC, before the rise of the Roman Empire. They laid the foundation for present-day architecture, engineering, and artistic achievements. Yet their culture remains overshadowed by ancient Greece and Rome.
Drawing on the latest archaeological discoveries and cutting-edge scholarship, this is the most comprehensive exhibition on Etruscan culture in the United States to date. Over 150 exquisitely crafted and well-preserved examples of bronze and terracotta sculpture, gold jewelry, ceramics, and architectural features, as well as the longest-surviving piece of Etruscan writing, reveal a legacy that continues to captivate today.
About the curator
Renée Dreyfus, George and Judy Marcus Distinguished Curator and Curator in Charge of Ancient Art, is known for her scholarly achievements, her role as a respected curator, and her long-standing institutional commitment. Dreyfus has enriched the Museums’ collection of ancient art with rare and significant acquisitions and has organized more than twenty successful exhibitions. She holds a PhD in Near Eastern art and archaeology from the University of California, Berkeley; an MA in Mediterranean studies from Brandeis University; and a BA in philosophy from Boston University.
About the “A Closer Look” series
youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5eMm5mgGrVAeif8BjSuRu_ew_ZZk3pjH&si=Fc55ywOTqqZaz1zj
This program is part of our “A Closer Look” series, a curatorial lecture series exploring both the development of the Museums’ distinct collections and their art historical significance. The series features in-depth presentations that highlight collection gems while demystifying creative practices that span thousands of years.
