3. Mosaic -

31. Notes to consider for lecture ; symmetry and colour ~ main categories of aesthetic beauty “the foremost aspect of colour to be appreciated was its value as light” early – wall/pavement mosaic ∆ pebbles and coloured stone, marble then – some artificially coloured terra cotta and glass on walls ↑ chromatic range Corinth – earliest surviving glass tesserae floor decisive break between pavement and wall work = intro. metallic tesserae metallic cubes – irregularity deliberate (setting) to ↑ light movement complex iconography of light Galla Placidia “there shines in the sanctuary a single light, entering through 3 windows in the wall: another eloquent symbol of the Trinity of Father, Son, & Holy Spirit 726 edict = no representational images = ↑ floral patterns & abstract symbols + 726 – 843 iconoclast period use of Divine Light plain exterior vs. glittering mosaic interior ~ many comparisons to be made