Mosaic Art Source: religious

Showing posts with label religious. Show all posts

Saturday, September 16, 2006

St Peters Stations Mosiac

StPetersStationsMosiac2.jpg, originally uploaded by k_bo1.

St Peters Stations Mosaic

StPetersStationsMosaic1.jpg, originally uploaded by k_bo1.

After waiting in line to go through the security checkpoint, you then wait in line for tickets to go up in the cupola, if desired (we desired). There were some beautiful mosiacs along the wall where we waited in the second line.

Friday, September 15, 2006

Mosaic mask of Tezcatlipoca

Mosaic mask of Tezcatlipoca, originally uploaded by Nolan Willis.

The skull of the Smoking Mirror

This mask is believed to represent the god Tezcatlipoca, one of the Aztec creator gods. He was also the god of rulers, warriors and sorcerers. His name can be translated as 'Smoking Mirror'. In fact, in many depictions during the Postclassic period (A.D. 900/1000-1521) his foot is replaced by a mirror.

The base for this mask is a human skull. Alternate bands of turquoise and lignite mosaic work cover the front of the skull. The eyes are made of two discs of iron pyrites set in rings made of shell. The back of the skull has been cut away and lined with leather. The jaw is movable and hinged on the leather.

Turquoise was sent as tribute to the Aztec capital from several provinces of the empire. Some of those provinces were located in present-day Veracruz, Guerrero and Oaxaca. The turquoise was sent as raw chunks or as cut and polished mosaic tiles decorating a variety of objects, such as masks, shields, staffs, discs, knives and bracelets. We know from a tribute list issued by the emperor Motecuhzoma II that ten turquoise mosaic masks, made by skilled Mixtec artisans, were sent each year from a province in Oaxaca.

Mosaic at Monreale

Mosaic at Monreale, originally uploaded by Electric Bob.

The mosaics in the cathedral at Monreale, a small town overlooking Palermo in Sicily, fantastic photo!

Mosaic Icon of Christ

Mosaic icon of Christ, AyaSofya, Istanbul, originally uploaded by pictalogue.

This Byzantine mosaic from the 14th century is on the first floor of Aya Sofya. It represents the Christ, and on the right, I assume the writing "Οαγιος Ιω." refers to Saint John the Baptist.