The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco will present a major exhibition, “The Etruscans: From the Heart of Ancient Italy,” at the Legion of Honor museum from May 2 to September 20, 2026. This marks the first significant U.S. exhibition on Etruscan culture in two decades and will feature nearly 200 objects, including bronze and terracotta vessels and sculptures, gold jewelry, and other artifacts. Among the highlights are recently excavated bronze statues from the sanctuary of San Casciano in Italy, which will be shown to the public for the first time.
The exhibition aims to provide new insights into Etruscan life, beliefs, and culture by presenting recent advances in archaeological research and translation of the Etruscan language. It also seeks to highlight Etruscan contributions to Western architecture, art, and engineering—areas often overshadowed by those of ancient Greece and Rome.
“Though lesser known than their Roman counterparts, the Etruscans left behind a legacy of outstanding gold and bronze craftsmanship, creating objects of unparalleled beauty,” said Thomas P. Campbell, Director and CEO of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. “After 10 years of careful research and planning, we’re delighted to bring this exhibition to US audiences and hope guests leave with a deep appreciation and understanding of Etruscan artistic achievements and inventions.”
“I have wanted to bring the Etruscans to the forefront for many years,” said Renée Dreyfus, curator for this exhibition at the Fine Arts Museums. “This exhibition tells the story of this overlooked culture, featuring icons of Etruscan art surrounded by equally stunning and fascinating works that are little known or even unknown. Many of these works have never been seen in the United States before.”
Artifacts on display will include bronze sculptures demonstrating advanced metalworking skills as well as mirrors and elaborate vessels that were exported across the Mediterranean region. The show will also feature luxurious grave goods from a wealthy woman’s burial—gold jewels along with silver-gilded objects—on loan from Vatican’s Gregorian Etruscan Museum. The role women played in society is another focus area.
Religious practices are represented through items such as ritual objects used for divination. Notably, visitors can see “the Linen Book of Zagreb,” considered one of longest surviving examples with an extensive inscription detailing rituals; it is being displayed in America for first time.
The exhibit explores how much Roman technology drew from earlier Etruscan innovations like temple construction or city planning before ending with galleries about cultural integration between both societies after Roman citizenship was extended.
Following its run at Legion of Honor in San Francisco (May–September 2026), “The Etruscans” will travel to San Antonio Museum of Art later that year.
Support for this project comes from sponsors including Diane B. Wilsey; Elizabeth & Bruce Dunlevie; Estate Of Sheila Wishek For The Ancient Art Council; Barbara A Wolfe; National Endowment For The Humanities; Matthew & Janice Barger; Sandra Bessières; Karen Wilberding Diefenbach & John Diefenbach among others.
Ancient art has long been central at both de Young Museum (Golden Gate Park) and Legion Of Honor (Lincoln Park), institutions established with collections spanning Egypt through Rome across five millennia.
Fine Arts Museums operate on land originally inhabited by Indigenous peoples including Ramaytush Ohlone as well as Miwok,Yokuts,and Patwin communities.The institution acknowledges ongoing relationships between these groups,their ancestors,and regional lands.
