Tag Archives: Byzantine mosaics

Magnificence of mosaics art

 

Bulla-Regia,-Roman-mosaic-in-the-House-of-Amphitrite,

 

Roman mosaic in the House of Amphitrite

Located at Bulla Regia, an archaeological site in northwestern Tunisia, a former Roman city near modern Jendouba

Richard Mortel-flickr

 

The ancient art of mosaics stands as a symbol of eternity, due to its adoption by notable architects and artists in many great places of worship and in the adornment of ancient buildings and homes. Monumental murals, facades, floors and ceilings were ideal features for the mosaic medium as it was durable and easily adapted to intricate shapes and designs. Some of the finest examples of mosaic art can be found in the ancient art from the Greco-Roman world. The most popular subject for mosaics was mythological scenes, such as the triumphs of Neptune or Dionysos, which are the most frequently found. The Orpheus myth (with animals) and the muses (Clio, Melpomene, Thalia, Terpsichore, Urania, Euterpe, Calliope, Polyhymnia and Erato), sometimes with the god Apollo, are also often illustrated. Inspiration could also come from daily life, like dancing, hunting, agriculture, fishing, as well as arts and crafts. Amphitheater activities such as gladiator fights and circus games were also a much-appreciated subject for mosaics.The most famous mosaics of the Roman world were created in Africa and in Syria, the two richest provinces of the Roman Empire.

 

Mosque-decoration-golden-age-of-islam- Arabic mosaic of ancient mosque in Saint Petersburg,

Arabic mosaic of ancient mosque in Saint Petersburg

 

Mosaics were also widely utilized in Islamic art, the medium being ideal for their use of complex geometric patterns and symbols on their secular buildings and huge Mosque structures. The Byzantine churches also contained many fine examples of this art form.

After the Roman authorities had decriminalised Christianity in the 4th Century, Constantine the Great and his mother Helena and the emerging Christian faith were prepared to build larger and more handsome edifices for worship than the furtive meeting-places (such as cave-churches).  The pagan outdoor architectural designs were replaced by temples for conducting worship indoors which eventually became grand architectural monuments of art featuring numerous depictions of saints and religious scenes.
Good early examples of the architectural basilica and use of mosaics include the Church of the Nativity at Bethlehem (6th century AD) and the church of St Elias at Thessalonica (5th century AD).

 

Basilica-st-mark-venice-facade-mosaic-translation-marks-relics

Mosaic facade at the Basilica St. Mark, Venice

 The word “mosaic” comes from the Italian word mazaico and the French word mozaique.

 

The magnificence of Byzantine architecture and mosaic art can be found in the two great basilicas of Ravenna in Italy. The most significant works all date back to between the fifth and sixth centuries after Basileus Justinian “The Great”, who became emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire in 527AD  with his royal headquarters in Constantinople, decided to liberate Italy from the Goths.
Images representing the mighty mosaics in ancient, antique and contemporary art are displayed below.

 

 

Small-church-(also-known-as-Santa-Maria-dell'Ammiraglio),-dating-from-the-1140s,-is-full-of-stunning-mosaics-alternating-between-religious-scenes-and-geometric-patterns

Stunning mosaics mixed with religious scenes and geometric detail

Santa Maria dell’ Ammiraglio church, dating from the 1140’s, Palermo

 

 

Aztec-turquoise-mosaic-mask---The-mask-is-made-of-cedar-wood-and-covered-with-turquoise-mosaic.-The-elliptical-eyes-consist-of-mother-of-pearl-and-the-teeth-are-made-of-conch-shell

 

Aztec turquoise mosaic mask   The mask is made of cedar wood and covered with turquoise mosaic. The elliptical eyes consist of mother-of-pearl and the teeth are made of conch shell.

FransVandewalle – flickr

Native Latin American cultures developed mosaic art, the oldest pre-Columbian examples appear to date to around 600 BCE. Their mosaics featured precious stones such as tourquoise and coral and precious metals such as gold. and were used to adorn statues, ornament shields and body armor.

Neptune mosaic- Bulla Regia, Tunisia

Roman Mosaic depicting the Triumph of Neptune, Bardo Museum, Tunisia

Bardo National Museum, Tunisia

 

 

 

 

abstract-mosaic-by-thenatureofmosaic..Gretchen McPherson

 Abstract mosaic wall art – thenatureofmosaic

Gretchen McPherson – flickr

 

 

Morning Breezes by Linda Biggers-eggshell mosaic

Morning Breezes by Linda Biggers- eggshell mosaic

 

 

 

 

3-Naïades-Outdoor-mural--porcelain---glass-170-cm-x-190-cm---Interpreting-a-painting-Tylek

3 Naïades Outdoor mosaic mural – Valerie and Dominique Villena (  I-Mosaique )

Interpretation of a painting by Tylek

 

 

 

 

Flower Power Collection by SICIS bathroom mosaics

Vibrant mosaic floral bathroom decoration – SICIS 

 

 

 

 

130b7c9045fec2d9560b75c06df687ef

Forest designed by Yulia Hanansen

Great Lakes Ecosystems Mosaic Murals at Matthaei Botanical Gardens

 

 

 

 

Painting by Vladimir Rasputin

Mosaic like painting by Vladimir Rasputin

 

 

 

 

Honey McCrary mosaic-Liza

Honey McCrary mosaic – Liza

 

 

 

 

Amazing-mosaic-tile-floor Malibu’s La Villa Contenta

Malibu’s La Villa Contenta mosaic tiled floor

 

 

 

Ancient Roman mosaic depicting Achiles dragging the body of Hector around the city of Troy

Ancient Roman mosaic depicting Achiles dragging the body of Hector around the city of Troy

 

 

 

mosaic ball Anja Berkers Spiraling In

Spiraling In  – Anja Berkers

 

 

 

Antonella Gallenda-mosaic-art

 Antonella Gallenda- floral mosaic art

 

 

 

 

Ballerina-by-mosaic-art-melonheadgallery-on-FlickrBallerina,-Swan-Lake-Original-Mosaic-by-Laura-and-Jack-Harris

Swan Lake Mosaic by Laura and Jack Harris

melonheadgallery on Flickr

 

Mural_Pomona_Mall_Annie_Laskey

Mosaic Mural – Pomona Mall, LA – Millard Sheets, 1962

Photo – Annie Laskey

 

 

 

 

Beautiful Fragments mosaic--Laura Harris

 Laura Harris  Beautiful Fragments  mosaic

 

 

 

Beci-Whatley's-Paintings---Peacock Feather created using a build up of painted dots, mirrors and-rhinestone gems

Beci Whatley  — Peacock Feather

Created using a build up of painted dots, mirrors and-rhinestone gems

 

 

 

 

 Mall India

Mosaic art India

 

 

 

 

Drake---Casablanca--GEORGE-FISHMAN-MOSAICS

 Drake—Casablanca – George Fishman

 

 

 

Carl and Sandra Bryant,-Showcase Mosaics Nightmusic

Nightmusic  – Carl and Sandra Bryant

Glass, semi precious stones, beads and ceramic pieces

Showcase Mosaics

 

 

 

Conceived-by-Igor-Marziali-Artist-Gerardo-DottoriPAESAGGIO-UMBROMosaicReplublic

Paeggio Umbro Conceived by Igor Marziali  based on art by Gerardo Dottori

MosaicReplublic

 

 

 

 

Cornelis-Schuytstraat---Amsterdam--NetherlandsThe-fourth-'mega-mosaic'-in-Amsterdam-made-by-Fabrice-Hund-is-called-In-Den-Besherfden-Schuyt-(can-be-translated-as-In-a-bargePerryTak

 In Den Besherfden Schuyt-(can be translated as In a barge ) byPerryTak

Amsterdan

 

 

 

Custom made Japanese Stork

Japanese Storks – Carl and Sandra Bryant

 

 

 

 

Dans-le-Pré,-mosaic-by-Francoise-Moulet

Dans le Pré, mosaic by Francoise Moulet

 

Mosaic artist David Chidgey Underwater Dance

 Underwater Dance mosaic by David Chidgey

2008

Overcast - Honey McCrary abstract mosaic

Overcast –  Honey McCrary

 

 

 

Mosaic art - Days of Birds Nikki Whitlock

Days of Birds by mosaicist Nikki Whitlock

 

 

 

Bardo-Museum,-paleo-Christian-mosaic---Richard-Mortel-flickr

 Paleo Christian mosaic – Bardo Museum

Richard Mortel – flickr

 

 

 

dolce-and-gabbana-fw-2014-women-fashion-show-backstage

 Dolce and Gabbana mosaic inspired outfit

 

 

 

Bondi-Dreaming-Andy-Solo---flickr

Mosaic Bondi Dreaming – Andy Solo – Flickr

 

 

 

Dragonfly-Gazing-Ball-etsy

Dragonfly Gazing Ball –

Enchanted Mosaics etsy

 

 

 

 

Eadweard Muybridge Mosaic--KIngston 2004 Emmamarie-flickr

Eadweard Muybridge Mosaic–Kingston 2004

Emmamarie-flickr

 

 

 

inspiration---roberto-burle-marx---la-playa-de-ipanema

La playa de ipanema – Roberto Burle Marx

 

 

 

Jamestown-3--Third-panel-of-three.-Stained-glass-mosaic.-For-a-hospital-in-Jamestown,-North-Dakota

 Jamestown 3–Third panel of three of a stained glass mosaic.- Barbara Benson Keith

Jamestown hospital, North Dakota

 

 

La-Treccia-Bionda-by-Evelina Della Vedova- based-on-Giovanni-Boldini-Painting

 La Treccia Bionda by Evelina Della Vedova for the studio Scuola Mosaicisti de Friuli

(based on a Giovanni Boldini Painting)

 

 

 

Grand-Canal mosaic art,-Venice

Venice Grand Canal mosaic art

 

 

 

Lilian Broca mosaic art

Haman Leading Mordechai on Royal Horse from the book The Hidden and the Revealed: The Queen Esther Mosaics of Lilian Broca

Canadian artist Lilian Broca mosaic art

 

 

 

 

New York mosaic art Lisa Arnold-flickr

New York mosaic art

Lisa Arnold – flickr

 

 

 

 

Mia Tavonatti Metamorphosis mosaic

 Metamorphosis mosaic by Mia Tavonatti

 

 

 

 

Michelangelo mosaic StPeters Howard Burton-flickr

 A Michelangelo mosaic at St Peters

Howard Burton-flickr

 

 

 

 

Mosaic-in the Kärntner Straße 16, shopping street-in the center of Vienna

Vienna mosaic in the shopping street of Kärntner Straße 16

 

 

 

 

Mosaico-Frida-Kahlo-

 

 Frida Kahlo mosaic table top —  Mosaico

” They thought I was a Surrealist, but I never painted dreams, I just painted my own reality.”

 

 

 

 

Outdoor wall mural 'Naiads 2'-----porcelain I-Mosaique

‘ Naiads 2’ —  Porcelain mosaic outdoor mural—by  I Mosaique

 

 

 

 

Nancy Keating art bottle

Mosaic art bottle – Nancy Keating

 

 

 

 

Huge art stories of Jonah,set in floor mosaics of the Basilica of Aquileia

Large floor mosaics of the Basilica of Aquileia – stories of Jonah

 

 

 

 

Peacocks mosaic wall piece by Ilana Shafir

‘ Peacocks’  mosaic wall art by Ilana Shafir

 

 

 

Polymer clay mosaic--Wind Dancer by eggshelllady, via Flickr

Polymer clay mosaic-Wind Dancer by eggshelllady, via Flickr

 

 

 

 

Valerie Nardin mosaic

 Valerie Nardin mosaic ovoid vessel

 

 

 

Ragazza Con Scodella-(Girl-With-Bowl),-Felice-Casorati.

Ragazza Con Scodella-(Girl With Bowl),- Original artist – Felice Casorati

  A mosaic made by Maestro Igor Maziali using marble, stone, brick, ecological smalti, Venetian smalti and limestone

 

 

 

 

School garden Kagran Leherb mosaic-'Blumengoettin flora and Gaertner god Vertumnus'--from-1960

School garden Kagran Leherb mosaic- ‘Blumengoettin flora and Gaertner god Vertumnus’

1960

 

 

 

Showcase Mosaics Mosaic Birdbath--Carl and Sandra Bryant

 Mosaic Birdbath — Carl and Sandra Bryant

http://www.showcasemosaics.com/

 

 

Birds-Mosaic,-High-Legh,-Manchester,-Uk

Birds piece created for a community garden in Manchester, designed with pupils from Higher Openshaw Community Primary School.

 

 

 

ArtMonument

Mosaic Painting Gondolier

artmonment.ru

 

 

 

Victor-Jorgensen---Missed-Connections2 A women waiting in a cafe/bar

‘Missed Connections 2’ – Victor Jorgensen

 

 

 

The Morello Bakery wall mosaic, Palermo Sicily

The Morello Bakery Art Nouveau wall mosaic mural, Palermo, Sicily

 

 

20120924_183354

  A mosaic created by African American artist, Louis Delsarte, celebrating the art scene in Harlem New York. It was assembled in Munich, Germany and located at the façade of Citi One Bank on Frederick Douglass Boulevard and 125th street.

islandvoice.org

 

Terry-Yumbulul,-Lloyd-Kelemen-and-Justin-Robson-mosaic

Terry Yumbulul, Lloyd Kelemen and Justin Robson floor mosaic

 

 

Tiffany Studios, Mosaic Panel. Sulphur Crested Cockatoos

Sulphur Crested Cockatoos – Tiffany Studios, Mosaic Panel

 

 

 

 

Topaz Pool by Lori Desormeaux

Topaz Pool – Abstract mosaic by Lori Desormeaux

Pinup Ceramic Collection Gena - SICIS

Gena – SICIS

abstract-mosaic-by-thenatureofmosaic.

Mosaic Hippo by thenatureofmosaic.

Marialuisa Tadei “Il Castello di Sole” - The Castle of the Sun - Venice

Marialuisa Tadei   “Il Castello di Sole”   – The Castle of the Sun  – 2013

280 x 490 x 280 cm. Silk, mosaic, wood. 2013 Venice Biennale

Read more about this remarkable mosaic sculpture here at Mosaicartnow

 

 

Trompe-l'oeil-fish-pond-mosaic-by-Gary-Drostle,-Woolwich,-UK

Trompe-l’oeil  – garden fish pond mosaic – Gary Drostle,

Woolwich, UK

 

 

 

fall-of-the-empire-stained-glass-on-mdf-sold-nina-glaser

‘Fall of The Empire’   Stained Glass on MDF — Nina Glaser

 

 

o-jardineiro-the-gardener-by-schandra-trabalhos-em-mosaico

‘The Gardener’ mosaico by Schandra Trabalhos

 

 

 

durango-mixed-media-mosaic-chris emmert

‘Durango’ – Chris Emmert – mixed  media mosaic

 

 

 

wernerio22-lovers-sre-on-the-table-- two classical lovers

‘Lovers’ – mosaic table top

wernerio22 – Flickr

 

 

take-off-21-x-17-inches-nina-glaser

‘Take Off ‘— Nina Glaser

21 x 17 inches