Is a mosaic in the apse of San Vitale?

The Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy, is one of the most important examples of early Christian Byzantine art and architecture in Europe. It is particularly well-known for the range of artful mosaics lining its walls and floor.

What do the mosaics at San Vitale represent?

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 is apse mosaic?

Apse mosaics are a form of visual communication employed by popes throughout the Middle Ages, from the sixth through to the thirteenth centuries. This essay examines the nature of this visual mode and the means by which viewers could understand it.

What do the mosaics in the apse at San Vitale Ravenna depict?

The apse is flanked by two chapels, the prothesis and the diaconicon, typical for Byzantine architecture. Inside, the intrados of the great triumphal arch is decorated with fifteen mosaic medallions, depicting Jesus Christ, the twelve Apostles and Saint Gervasius and Saint Protasius, the sons of Saint Vitale.

What is apse mosaic made out of?

tiles
In the Byzantine church of San Vitale , created in 547 CE, the apse features a brightly-colored mosaic, a composition made of tiny, individual colored tiles. This composition features flat, heavily outlined figures against a flat, gold backdrop.

Who did the mosaics in San Vitale?

Justinian and Theodora Mosaics in San Vitale The two most famous mosaics in San Vitale are definitely slightly younger and must date after 540, when the Byzantines had re-conquered Ravenna for the (Eastern) Roman Empire.

Where is the apse located in a church?

Commonly, the apse of a church, cathedral or basilica is the semicircular or polygonal termination to the choir or sanctuary, or sometimes at the end of an aisle. In church architecture it is generally the name given to where the altar is placed or where the clergy are seated.

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.

Who made the apse mosaic?

Anastasius
It was built by the cardinal and priest of San Clemente, Anastasius, who is documented between 1102 and 1125, and it rises above its predecessors’s centre and left side aisles. The structure was completed and consecrated around 1118-19. The mosaic decoration of the apse is generally dated to this time.

What are the Ravenna mosaics?

Ravenna is known as the city of mosaics because of the stunning 5th- and 6th-century mosaics that decorate the walls of its churches and monuments, and because it is still one of Italy’s top producers of mosaics.

Who created the mosaics of San Vitale?

by Dr. Allen Farber. Created by Smarthistory.

Where is the tree of life apse mosaic?

The mosaic at San Clemente Church in in Rome is located in the apse of the church. It is a mosaic consisting of mainly green and gold tesserae placed irregularly to intensify the shining of the gold pieces. It was made in the twelfth century and is similar to the christian mosaic style.

What is San Vitale famous for?

Church of San Vitale, also called Basilica of San Vitale, church in Ravenna, Italy, that was built in the 6th century and is considered a masterpiece of Byzantine achitecture. It is especially noted for the colourful mosaics of Christian iconography that decorate the interior walls and ceilings.

Why was San Vitale built?

This one of the most important reasons why San Vitale was built: to glorify the Emperor Justinian and the whole empire under his rule. The opposite wall of the apse contains the mosaic that depicts Empress Theodora, who was considered to be one of the most remarkable women of the middle Ages (Kleiner, 317).

What does the apse represent?

What is the significance of the apse?

First used in pre-Christian Roman architecture, the apse often functioned as an enlarged niche to hold the statue of a deity in a temple. It was also used in the thermae of ancient baths and in basilicas such as the imperial basilica in the Palace of Domitian on the Palatine Hill.

How is San Vitale decorated?

What objects do Justinian and Theodora carry in the mosaic at San Vitale how were they used in the Mass?

APSE MOSAICS Justinian is shown carrying a paten, or bowl containing the Eucharistic bread, while Theodora carries the chalice or vessel for the Eucharistic wine. Maximian carries a cross, while a tonsured priest carries the Gospel book.

Who created the Christus Ravenna mosaic?

Roman Emperor Flavius Honorius
Development of Ravenna’s Art and Architecture The Western Roman Emperor Flavius Honorius (384-423), along with his half-sister Galla Placidia, established the earliest cultural monuments in Ravenna.

What is the San Vitale apse mosaic?

The San Vitale Apse Mosaic: Detail, Christ Regnant The Apse Mosaic at San Vitale: Detail, Christ in Majesty Christ sits on a globe representing the universe.

What is the Basilica of San Vitale?

The basilica of San Vitale is one of the eight UNESCO World Heritage sites in Ravenna. San Vitale features best preserved Byzantine mosaics outside of Constantinople (modern day Istanbul).

What makes San Vitale unique?

San Vitale is packed with dense intricate mosaic art made with tiny colorful and gold embedded glass tiles. The church interior walls and ceilings are covered with mosaic art depicting Christian iconography including figures from Old and New Testaments.

What is the apse mosaic?

Apse mosaic (photo: Steven Zucker, CC: BY-NC-SA 2.0) A major theme of this mosaic program is the authority of the emperor in the Christian plan of history.