Alexa Bringhurst

Period 8
Mosaics:

What it is.
A mosaic is a picture or pattern produced by arranging together small colored pieces of hard
material, such as stone, tile, or glass. Usually have religious or spiritual meaning

History:
Oldest mosaic example found.
In Jerusalem’s Old City workers uncovered an intact mosaic with
Greek writing of what is believed to have been on the floor of an
ancient version of a boutique hotel 1,500 years ago.
It reads: “In the time of our most pious emperor Flavius Justinian,
also this entire building constantine the most God-loving priest
and abbott, established and raised, in the 14th indiction.” Flavius
had the Nea church built after the conversion to christianity. It
was the biggest church at the time. The abbot was Constantine
which is why Flavius and Constantine are mentioned in the text.

Historical Examples

1. Mesopotamian example
The most popular subject for Mesopotamian mosaics
were mythological scenes such as the triumphs of Neptune or
Dionysos, the Orpheus myth and the muses, or with the god
Apollo. Inspiration also came from daily life like hunting,
agriculture, fishing, arts and crafts, amphitheater, and circus
games were also popular mosaic subjects. They consist of pieces
of colored stones, shells and ivory. Excavations at Susa and
Choqa Zanbil show evidence of the first glazed tiles, dating from
around 1500 BCE.
The most popular oriental mosaic is the Zeugma mosaic found in the Belkis museum in modern-
day Turkey.
 2. Roman example
Roman mosaics were used to decorate the floors of buildings. This
was a sign of wealth and importance. The mosaics captured scenes of the
Roman’s everyday life as well as gives us an insight into history. Mosaics
were placed in the main room to be enjoyed. They’re stuck on by mortar, a
type of cement.

3. Christian example
Gold and silver glass became increasingly popular. Gold leaves were
used to make the gold glass and silver was made with tin. These pieces were
made to create high-intensity light as a means of rendering the light emanating
from God. Christian mosaics were typically used to decorate walls instead of the
floors and have religious meaning.

Why St. Peter’s Cathedral

Saint Peter’s Cathedral is covered in what looks like many brightly colored
paintings, but they’re not paintings. These bright images are mosaics with
millions of tesserae (tiny pieces of glass). The mosaics are done with such
detail that they look like paintings and frescoes because the pieces are so
small.
Each mosaic is a scene from the life of christ. Under the mosaics is a plaque
stating the scripture reference.

Contemporary Mosaics
In this piece Carrie Reichardt is arguing the use of the death penalty. She
created a protest as part of her art on the front of the V & A museum. She
collaborated with Gavin Grindon and Catherine Flood, each of whom chose a
quote for the two artworks. Each artwork weighs two tons and to make it
unique Reichardt used digital transfers on some of the glass pieces.

My own mosaic:
For my mosaic I created a Christmas tree. I think this represents a part of our
culture and the holidays we celebrate. After making my own mosaic I have a
newfound respect for the time and patience needed to create these
masterpieces.