Alessandro François

[2] After travelling widely in his youth, François decided in 1825 to excavate Etruscan sites, including Cosa, Cortona, Volterra, Fiesole, Vetulonia, Populonia, Chiusi and Vulci.

He discovered more fragments in 1845, and the pieces were assembled into a complete vase of the highest quality, subsequently named after him, which was purchased by Leopold II, Grand Duke of Tuscany, in 1846 for the Uffizi Gallery.

Numerous attempts to found a museum to house his finds failed, despite his appealing to potential sponsors in Italy and to the French government.

[3] François found the large Attic volute krater in 1844 near Chiusi in one of his most famous excavations, and it takes its name from him.

The tomb is decorated with paintings representing battles between Romans and Etruscans, and scenes of execution of Trojan prisoners.

The François vase
Fresco in the François Tomb: Liberation of Celio Vibenna, from left to right: Caile Vibenna, Mastarna, Larth Ultes, Laris Papathnas Velznach, Pesna Aremsnas Sveamach, Rasce, Venthikau and Aule Vibenna , right: Marce Camitlnas et Cnaeve Tarchunies Rumach