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Divine Light – The Art of Mosaic in Rome, 300 – 1300 AD

Rome’s medieval mosaics

The book “Divine Light – The Art of Mosaic in Rome, 300 – 1300 AD” offers a comprehensive insight into the world of medieval Roman mosaic art. This art form developed at a time when Rome was no longer the political centre of the world, but had become an important religious and cultural hub. The editor and renowned art historian Wendy A. Stein describes the mosaics as monumental images made of tiny coloured glass cubes that were created over the centuries to glorify God. They are evidence of an almost thousand-year-old tradition that is hidden on the walls of old churches and is often overlooked.

History and technique of the mosaic

The history of Roman mosaics begins in the 4th century with Constantine the Great, the last Roman and first Christian emperor. Their development extends to around 1300 AD and ends with the beginning of the Italian Renaissance, an era characterised by artists such as Cimabue and Giotto. At this time, mosaics were not only created as decorative works of art. They were also an expression of religious and political power. Most of the mosaics were commissioned by the popes, whose aims and convictions had a great influence on the artistic decisions. They therefore reflect both the spiritual and secular endeavours of their patrons.

Thematic diversity of the mosaics

The production of mosaics was a complex and costly process. Each image or figure was composed of thousands of small pieces of stone or glass, known as tesserae. While different coloured stones were mainly used for floor mosaics, glass pieces dominated in wall mosaics. These mosaics were often placed in the apses of churches, the sacred spaces near the altar, to inspire the faithful visually and spiritually. The elaborate manufacturing process, which included the production and transport of the glass pieces as well as the detailed placement of the tesserae, testifies to the high level of craftsmanship and the great financial outlay invested in these works.

The heyday of the Roman mosaic

The history of mosaics in Rome is a story of constancy and change. Despite numerous upheavals, the tradition of mosaic art has remained constant over the centuries. With the rise of papal power and Byzantine influences, it flourished in the 12th and 13th centuries, with artists such as Torriti and Cavallini playing a decisive role in the development and refinement of mosaic art. Wendy A. Stein emphasises that the medieval mosaics of Rome should not only be admired for their aesthetic beauty, but should also be regarded as living historical documents. They are testimonies to the complex history of their time and the influence of the apostolic past.

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Further information

Further information on the book “Divine Light – The Art of Mosaic in Rome, 300 – 1300 AD” (Advertising) can be found on the Hirmer Verlag website.

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