Bronze Statuette of a Rider

The rider is a fine example of the Etruscans' skill in adapting the artistic style of another culture to create a work of art entirely their own. The naturalistic modeling of the figure, cast in solid bronze, shows Greek influence and inspiration, but the stiff folds of the toga, a garment characteristically Etruscan and Roman, adds a new dimension, as does the archaic face with large staring eyes and expression. The disparate elements have been successfully blended together into a calm dignified figure fashioned as a votive offering for a temple or grave.

Credit: City of Detroit Purchase