MOSAIC MOTIFS

By Rachel KlaebeMenorca, Session 7, 2012

Mosaics

Existed since 3rd Millennium BC

Art of creating images

Buildings

Tesserae – imitate paintings

Simplistic to detailed

Roman motifs – themes celebrating their gods, domestic themes and geometric designs.

Byzantine Empire Motifs

Specialised in covering walls and ceilings

Smalti – special glass tesserae

Motifs included:Animals – symbolic.EmperorReligious images

Es Fornàs de Torrelló, Mahon

6th Century A.D.

Nave mosaic still visible today

Isla del Rei, Basilica

Son Bou

5th – 6th Century AD Roman Basilica

Only the basic foundations remain.

Basilica at Sanisera?Currently excavating

5th – 6th Century A.D.

Mainly lower foundation walls

Tesserae found? – No

What does this mean? Economy – frescoRural – 2 located near each other Position – landmark.

References http://menorca.net/portales/index.php?lang=en

http://www.thejoyofshards.co.uk/history/index.shtml

http://blogs.ups.edu/studentlife/2012/04/16/istanbul-is-constantinople/

http://tiffanyunderwood72213.wordpress.com/2012/05/05/byzantine-motifs-decorative-arts/

http://www.thejoyofshards.co.uk/history/index.shtml

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Mosaic

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/26.68

http://www.arqueoguia.com/menorca%20ing/arqmi193.htm

http://www.mca-hotels.com/holidays-guide-menorca/95/97/231/menorca/prehistory/es-fornas-de-torrello/