What are the mosaics of San Vitale known for?
Mosaic panels depicting Emperor Justinian the Great (also known as Justinian I) and his consort Empress Theodora are the most famous mosaics of San Vitale. Although Justinian never actually visited Ravenna himself, this lavish mosaic work was a way to assert Justinian’s authority in the region.
When did Justinian build the Church of San Vitale?
…in the choir of the church of San Vitale at Ravenna, dating from c. 526–548 ce. The Church of San Vitale, the masterpiece of Byzantine art in Ravenna, was completed during the reign of the emperor Justinian.
Who built the Church of San Vitale Ravenna?
Ravenna. The Church of San Vitale, the masterpiece of Byzantine art in Ravenna, was completed during the reign of the emperor Justinian. The church was begun by Bishop Ecclesius under the Ostrogothic queen Amalasuntha (d. 535) and was consecrated in 547. This octagonal church, built of marble and capped….
When was San Vitale built?
Created by Smarthistory. San Vitale is one of the most important surviving examples of Byzantine architecture and mosaic work. It was begun in 526 or 527 under rule. It was consecrated in 547 and completed soon after.
Who made San Vitale mosaic?
It is especially noted for the colourful mosaics of Christian iconography that decorate the interior walls and ceilings. The church was begun by Bishop Ecclesius in 526 under the Ostrogothic queen Amalasuntha (died 535) and was consecrated in 547. It was dedicated to the martyr Vitalis, the patron saint of Ravenna.
What are the San Vitale mosaics?
San Vitale is one of the most important surviving examples of Byzantine architecture and mosaic work. It was begun in 526 or 527 under Ostrogothic rule. It was consecrated in 547 and completed soon after.
Who made the mosaics in Ravenna?
Their most notable king, Theodoric the Great (454–526) built some of Ravenna's most impressive monuments including the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, the Palace of Theoderic, and the Mausoleum of Theodoric.
What is the purpose of the Justinian mosaic in San Vitale?
This mosaic thus establishes the central position of the Emperor between the power of the church and the power of the imperial administration and military. Like the Roman Emperors of the past, Justinian has religious, administrative, and military authority.
What was the first mosaic?
Early History of Mosaic Art The oldest mosaic art has been traced back to a Mesopotamian temple that existed during the third millennium B.C. This art was made with stones, seashells, and ivory. Ancient Greek artists used small pebbles to make their mosaics.
What is San Vitale famous for?
The early medieval church of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy, is most famous for its spectacular mosaics. In a city full of rich, Byzantine-style religious art, the San Vitale mosaics stand apart for two particular scenes.
What do the mosaics of Ravenna celebrate?
Once an important part of the Byzantine Empire, Ravenna boasts 1,500-year-old churches — such as the Basilica di San Vitale — that glitter with mosaics, celebrating Christ in heaven and the reign of Emperor Justinian on earth.
Who made the Good Shepherd mosaic?
Salviati and CoThis mosaic is a reproduction of the original Good Shepherd mosaic in the Chapel of Galla Placidia at Ravenna executed in the 5th century. The reproduction is made in the 19th century by Salviati and Co....The Good Shepherd.Artist/MakerSalviati & Co (made)Place Of OriginItaly (made)
Where are the best mosaics in Ravenna?
Best Ravenna Destinations: Where to Find Mosaics in RavennaMausoleum of Galla Placidia. ... Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo. ... Baptistery of Neon | Battistero Neoniano. ... Chapel of Sant'Andrea | Archbishop's Chapel. ... Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe. ... Classis Museum. ... Arian Baptistery. ... Mausoleum of Theodoric.More items...
How mosaics are made?
Rather than creating images by adding pigment to a flat surface, some artists created patterns or shapes by arranging hundreds to thousands of tiny, colored tiles. We call this art form a mosaic, a decorated surface made up of individual pieces. It's a unique art form and one which can produce incredible results.
What is Justinian holding in the mosaic?
Emperor Justinian is shown dressed in a royal purple chlamys and jeweled stemma. He raises his hands in offering as he holds a gold paten, displaying his patterned tablion, a supplemental textile bearing a repeat pattern and most likely produced on a drawloom.
How big is the Justinian mosaic?
Dimensions: 18.9 × 24.3 cm (7 7/16 × 9 9/16 in.)
Which is famous mosaic in the Basilica of San Vitale Italy?
Justinian MosaicJustinian Mosaic, San Vitale.
Why must the mosaic decoration inside the church of San Vitale in Ravenna Italy be considered one of the greatest achievements of Byzantine art?
San Vitale's mosaics, like the building itself, must be regarded as one of the greatest achievements of Byzantine art. The apse and choir decorations form a unified composition, whose theme is the holy ratification of Emperor Justinian's right to rule.
What is the San Vitale mosaic?
San Vitale and the. Justinian Mosaic. San Vitale is one of the most important surviving examples of Byzantine architecture and mosaic work. It was begun in 526 or 527 under Ostrogothic rule. It was consecrated in 547 and completed soon after. One of the most famous images of political authority from the Middle Ages is the mosaic ...
When was San Vitale consecrated?
It was begun in 526 or 527 under Ostrogothic rule. It was consecrated in 547 and completed soon after. San Vitale, consecrated 547, Ravenna (photo: Steven Zucker , CC: BY-NC-SA 2.0) One of the most famous images of political authority from the Middle Ages is the mosaic of the Emperor Justinian and his court in the sanctuary of the church ...
What is the theme of the mosaic program?
A major theme of this mosaic program is the authority of the emperor in the Christian plan of history. The mosaic program can also be seen to give visual testament to the two major ambitions of Justinian’s reign: as heir to the tradition of Roman Emperors, Justinian sought to restore the territorial boundaries of the Empire.
What did the clergy and Justinian carry in sequence from right to left?
The clergy and Justinian carry in sequence from right to left a censer, the gospel book, the cross, and the bowl for the bread of the Eucharist. This identifies the mosaic as the so-called Little Entrance which marks the beginning of the Byzantine liturgy of the Eucharist. Justinian’s gesture of carrying the bowl with the bread of the Eucharist can be seen as an act of homage to the True King who appears in the adjacent apse mosaic (image left).
Who is depicted in the mosaics in the presbytery?
Of particular note are the mosaics on the presbytery ’s ceiling, which depict the Lamb of God amid plants and animals. In addition, the emperor Justinian (reigned 527–565) and his consort, Theodora, are featured in panels near the apse. Justinian I. Justinian I, detail of a 6th-century mosaic at the church of San Vitale, Ravenna, Italy.
Where is the Church of San Vitale?
Interior of the Church of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy. The church was begun by Bishop Ecclesius in 526 under the Ostrogothic queen Amalasuntha (died 535) and was consecrated in 547. It was dedicated to the martyr Vitalis, the patron saint of Ravenna. At the time, the city was the capital of the Western Roman Empire.
What is the city of Ravenna made of?
At the time, the city was the capital of the Western Roman Empire. The octagonal structure is made of marble and capped by a lofty terra-cotta dome. The celebrated mosaics were strongly influenced by similar work at Constantinople ( Istanbul ).
Where is the Empress Theodora?
Empress Theodora, detail of a wall mosaic, 6th century; in the church of San Vitale, Ravenna, Italy. The Church of San Vitale and other Christian monuments in Ravenna were collectively designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996.
What is the San Vitale mosaic?
San Vitale is packed with dense intricate mosaic art made with tiny colorful and gold embedded glass tiles.
Who is the most famous mosaic in San Vitale?
Mosaic panels depicting Emperor Justinian the Great (also known as Justinian I) and his consort Empress Theodora are the most famous mosaics of San Vitale. Although Justinian never actually visited Ravenna himself, this lavish mosaic work was a way to assert Justinian’s authority in the region. It is a political statement.
What is the background of the lunette?
The background has greenery and sky made with brightly colored glass mosaic tiles. On the right of the lunette is a mosaic of Moses receiving the Law on Mount Sinai. A mosaic of Jeremiah appears on the left. Two figures on the top side depict St. Luke and St. John.
What is the largest mosaic in the apse?
The north wall of the apse has several scenes and figures. The biggest and most prominent one, lunette mosaic, depicts Abraham and two scenes from his life – the Sacrifice of Isaac and the Feeding of Three Strangers from the Old Testament.
What is the mosaic on the lunette?
To the left of the lunette, on the eastern spandrel, are mosaics portraying scenes from the life of Moses. On top is the burning bush scene referring to the time when Moses was given a mission of leading the Israelites out of Egypt. Below it Moses appears tending to the sheep of Jethro.
What is the mosaic in the church?
The church interior walls and ceilings are covered with mosaic art depicting Christian iconography including figures from Old and New Testaments. Two prominent mosaic panels also feature more contemporary figures like the Byzantine monarch during whose reign the church and mosaic art were commissioned. Let us take you on a virtual mosaic tour of the church.
What is the shape of the San Vitale?
Instead, the San Vitale has a centrally-planned octagonal design . One of the eight sides of the octagon has an extension with an apse which is semi circular from the inside and has a polygonal exterior.
Where is the mosaic of San Vitale?
The Splendid Mosaics of Basilica di San Vitale in Ravenna (Italy). The Splendid Mosaics of San Vitale Basilica in Ravenna (Italy). This imperial mosaic also shows the clergy of the emperor standing beside him along with his soldiers. He is seen standing in the center, thus, stressing on his importance as the lead figure.
What is the architecture of the Basilica di San Vitale?
The architecture of the basilica. The basilica has all the elements of Roman Empire from its dome, towers, doorways, and that of the Byzantine elements of narrow bricks, perfectly illustrious mosaics and a polygonal apse. That is the structural brilliance that the place is built with. The Splendid Mosaics of Basilica di San Vitale in Ravenna ...
What is the golden plate used for?
The emperor holds a golden plate, the plate which is used to place bread for Mass ( Eucharistic bread). Archbishop of Ravenna, Maximian is shown to his left. The Splendid Mosaics of Basilica di San Vitale in Ravenna (Italy).
Why is Ravenna called the city of mosaics?
Ravenna is called “The City of Mosaics” for places such as the Basilica di San Vitale. I was dazzled by the Byzantine mosaics that played before my eyes and I couldn’t help but contemplate all its historical attributes of this place, not to mention its architectural magnificence.
Where are the mosaics of the 12 apostles?
The Splendid Mosaics of Basilica di San Vitale in Ravenna (Italy). Apart from these, the arch of the apse is also embellished by the mosaics of the 12 apostles with Christ in the center.
When was the Basilica of Ravenna built?
The first stone foundation of the basilica was laid in 526 and after treacherous years of construction, it was finally completed by the 27th Bishop of Ravenna known as Maximian.
Which emperor's head is gleaming?
Looking to the left side, just below the apse, I saw the mosaic of Emperor Justinian whose head is shown gleaming because of the halo behind him.
Who discovered the body of Saint Vitale?
However, there is some confusion as to whether this is the Saint Vitalis of Milan, or the Saint Vitale whose body was discovered (together with that of Saint Agricola) by Saint Ambrose in Bologna in 393.
Where is the Basilica of San Vitale?
The Basilica of San Vitale is a late antique church in Ravenna, Italy. The 6th century church is an important surviving example of early Christian Byzantine art and architecture. It is one of eight structures in Ravenna inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
What are the mosaics in the Triforia?
A series of mosaics in the lunettes above the triforia depict sacrifices from the Old Testament: the story of Abraham and Melchizedek, and the Sacrifice of Isaac; the story of Moses and the Burning Bush, Jeremiah and Isaiah, representatives of the twelve tribes of Israel, and the story of Abel and Cain. A pair of angels, holding a medallion with a cross, crowns each lunette. On the side walls the corners, next to the mullioned windows, have mosaics of the Four Evangelists, under their symbols (angel, lion, ox and eagle), and dressed in white. Especially the portrayal of the lion is remarkable in its ferocity.
What is the gold fascia of the church?
It has a great gold fascia with twining flowers, birds, and horns of plenty. Jesus Christ appears, seated on a blue globe in the summit of the vault, robed in purple, flanked by angels, offering with his right hand the martyr's crown to Saint Vitale, while on his left Bishop Ecclesius offers a model of the church.
How many bells are there in the Byzantine bell tower?
Furthermore, it is thought to reflect the design of the Byzantine Imperial Palace Audience Chamber, of which nothing at all survives. The belltower has four bells, the tenor one dating from the 16th century. According to legends, the church was erected on the site of the martyrdom of Saint Vitalis.
What was the first terracotta vault?
The central vault used a western technique of hollow tubes inserted into each other, rather than bricks. This method was the first recorded structural use of terra-cotta forms, which later evolved into modern structural clay tile. The ambulatory and gallery were vaulted only later in the Middle Ages.
When was the dome of the church built?
The interior of the dome, with Baroque frescoes from the late 18th century. The church was begun by Bishop Ecclesius in 526, when Ravenna was under the rule of the Ostrogoths and completed by the 27th Bishop of Ravenna, Maximian, in 547 preceding the Byzantine Exarchate of Ravenna . The construction of the church was sponsored by Julius ...
