Early Byzantine Mosaics — San Vitale
The Basilica of San Vitale, Ravenna, September 2018
How many works of art from the Sixth Century CE delight and inspire so much as the great mosaics of the Byzantine-Roman Empire? Few that I know of. So when I was able to visit the cities of Emilia-Romagna in September 2018, Ravenna was at the top of the list (they were all "at the top of the list", but Ravenna was paramount).
How many pilgrimages are so well-fulfilled?
Colourful, abstract, conceptual, literary, humane — all the adjectives that matter apply to the mosaics crowded into the Apse of the Basilica of San Vitale. "Resonant" is another that occurs only later, when it seems that the eyes of Theodora, or the slightly distracted gaze of Christ at the Second Coming, or the undemonstrative power of the Emperor's presence, will greet you whenever your memory turns back to your visit.
Please download the PDF (9.4 MB) of the images and be sure to view them full-screen on your computer or tablet.
