Medieval Art and Architect
...were real, he contents in the bowl would spill out. Also, because the mosaic is only one dimensional, the subjects’ feet that overlap one another’s is not embedded on the ground, making this image look unrealistic. The next mosaic is of Empress Theodora and her attendants. Like Justinian, Empress Theodora is crowned with a halo; and is also wearing the imperial robe as does Christ. The difference between her imperial robe and Justinians’ is the golden embroidery on her robe of three (3) Magi kneeling. On her head is a towering tiara made of small pieces of glass, jewelry, and hanging pearls. To the right of her is a fountain sprucing water, which unleashes a dove. Notice the “hieratic elements seen in the linear abstraction, golden ground, and frontality;” as the mosaicist cast a light shadow glaring off the abundance of gold background. The next image is of a mosaic vault; it consists of four (4) triangles decorated with leaves, fruit, flowers, stars, birds and other animals. Each triangle is one of the four (4) seasons, which symbolizes Paradise. The crown circling the lamb, which is standing on blue ground instead of gold, is held in the arms of angels wearing white robes. The connected triangles form a box which is surrounded by spirals of acanthus, which is a Mediterranean plant. On the left side of the box are portraits of God (center), and his prophets along both sides. The detailed head of Empress Theodora can be considered as a traditional mosaic. The decorative pattern is able to capture naturalism. Pieces of pearl are used in the tesserae, along with small pieces of glass and gold. In the mosaic of Justinians’ head, the mosaicist used sharp colors to intensify his expression. The precise individualistic facial feature makes one think this mosaic may be of an actual portrait that was done by a previous artist. The Semidome of Apse mosaic, Christ’s...