AGGLOMERATION…..the perfect word for this fabulous art history lesson……love the back and forth between You Two….that makes You focus by saying and hearing “ hey people this is important/ interesting/amazing…..You fill in the word…..”
Four beasts of revelation also represent the four gospel books. Matthew is usually represented as the Man, Mark is the Lion, Luke is the Ox, and John is the Eagle
Winged man, winged lion, winged ox or bull, and winged eagle are, by a very ancient tradition, the meaning of which is lost in time (various more or less fantasious explanations are given) as the symbols of the four Gospels, or the four Evangelists: the winged man, or angel, is the symbol of Matthew, winged lion is Saint Mark, winged ox or bull is Luke, and the eagle is Saint John. When you see those four elements together, it's always the evangelists.
Another detail to focus on is the identity of the two female figures who crown St. Peter & Paul: they are the two metaphoric representations of the "ecclesia ex circumcisione" (the Hebrew Church) and the "ecclesia ex gentibus" (the Church dedicated to the pagan population now newly converted to christianity). And also - the comments are right by saying that the 4 "beasts" in the sky are symbols for the evangelists. I was asked to explain this exact mosaic during my Medieval Art exam! Great memories, stay curious :)
I believe the girls are St. Pudentianna and St. Praxedes. The daughters of St. Pudens, a Roman Senator, who was a friend to and converted by St. Peter. (Pudens is mentioned in the Bible, 2 Timothy 4:21 by St. Paul.) The girls were Christian Martyrs in Rome. They turned the bath in their home into a baptismal to help lead people to Christ and also, they helped to care for the slain bodies of Christians that had been executed in Rome. They tried to give them proper burials. They ministered to the poor. The Basilica of St. Praxedes is very near to the Basilica of St. Pudentianna, which is being featured in this video. God bless! 🙏🏻 I wanted to add to this, another translation for St. Praxedes is Santa Prassedes.
@rebeccag.2381 Very interesting, I must check them out! Unfortunately, they stylewise look like they would be part of the later restorations, just like the Sts Peter and Paul who are being shown in profile.
This mosaic is incredibly interesting. From Christ the Magician in earlier descriptions to Christ the Emperor (Zeus). How where Tesserae made in that time?.
One of the great and, at the same time, frustrating things about Rome is that there’s such a wealth of interesting places and features that you can never see it all. Every time I return I have a series of “Damn! We walked right by that!” moments. Santa Prudenziana was but one of those from our last trip (we walked past the back side of it). *sigh*. Next time…..
I just can't even imagine standing in a place like this.. Knowing that I'm standing where countless worshippers have before while being in awe of the incredible art... I'm overwhelmed just thinking about it. I wouldn't know what to do first or when to stop. Maybe that's the idea, though. 😅 I'm a sucker for a beautiful mosaic and would love to see shimmering Jesus someday, lol. I do wonder what the tablets in his hand read - something about the dominion of the church which sounds about right.
Unfortunately, I missed it when I went to Rome some years ago. However, I've used your "lessons" to visit about 20 Roman churches... Anyway, I find the execution of mosaics more naturalistic, but at the same time cruder than that of Cosma & Damian Basilica
I really appreciate that these wonderful art history videos are offered so generously, but I wish the word polytheist was used (as it was in the text) instead of "Pagan". Pagan, which means something like "villager" has nothing to do with poytheism.
AGGLOMERATION…..the perfect word for this fabulous art history lesson……love the back and forth between You Two….that makes You focus by saying and hearing “ hey people this is important/ interesting/amazing…..You fill in the word…..”
One of my all time favorite places in Rome. Thanks!
Agreed! A barely visited gem!
Four beasts of revelation also represent the four gospel books. Matthew is usually represented as the Man, Mark is the Lion, Luke is the Ox, and John is the Eagle
Matthew is depicted as an angel and there are wings about him in the mosaic...
This is mentioned in Carl G. Jung's "Man and his symbols".
Exato
Another eye-opening, eye-popping exploration thanks to you. Fascinating your analysis of Jerusalem as the holy city.
Thank you - so informative, interesting ~
Fascinating
Winged man, winged lion, winged ox or bull, and winged eagle are, by a very ancient tradition, the meaning of which is lost in time (various more or less fantasious explanations are given) as the symbols of the four Gospels, or the four Evangelists: the winged man, or angel, is the symbol of Matthew, winged lion is Saint Mark, winged ox or bull is Luke, and the eagle is Saint John. When you see those four elements together, it's always the evangelists.
C'est juste magnifique !
What does the monogram "TL" on Christ's robe represent?
Another detail to focus on is the identity of the two female figures who crown St. Peter & Paul: they are the two metaphoric representations of the "ecclesia ex circumcisione" (the Hebrew Church) and the "ecclesia ex gentibus" (the Church dedicated to the pagan population now newly converted to christianity). And also - the comments are right by saying that the 4 "beasts" in the sky are symbols for the evangelists. I was asked to explain this exact mosaic during my Medieval Art exam! Great memories, stay curious :)
I believe the girls are St. Pudentianna and St. Praxedes. The daughters of St. Pudens, a Roman Senator, who was a friend to and converted by St. Peter. (Pudens is mentioned in the Bible, 2 Timothy 4:21 by St. Paul.) The girls were Christian Martyrs in Rome. They turned the bath in their home into a baptismal to help lead people to Christ and also, they helped to care for the slain bodies of Christians that had been executed in Rome. They tried to give them proper burials. They ministered to the poor. The Basilica of St. Praxedes is very near to the Basilica of St. Pudentianna, which is being featured in this video. God bless! 🙏🏻 I wanted to add to this, another translation for St. Praxedes is Santa Prassedes.
@rebeccag.2381 Very interesting, I must check them out! Unfortunately, they stylewise look like they would be part of the later restorations, just like the Sts Peter and Paul who are being shown in profile.
This mosaic is incredibly interesting. From Christ the Magician in earlier descriptions to Christ the Emperor (Zeus). How where Tesserae made in that time?.
Would love to see some idea of what this would look like pre restoration
So would we!
One of the great and, at the same time, frustrating things about Rome is that there’s such a wealth of interesting places and features that you can never see it all. Every time I return I have a series of “Damn! We walked right by that!” moments. Santa Prudenziana was but one of those from our last trip (we walked past the back side of it). *sigh*. Next time…..
I just can't even imagine standing in a place like this..
Knowing that I'm standing where countless worshippers have before while being in awe of the incredible art... I'm overwhelmed just thinking about it. I wouldn't know what to do first or when to stop. Maybe that's the idea, though. 😅
I'm a sucker for a beautiful mosaic and would love to see shimmering Jesus someday, lol. I do wonder what the tablets in his hand read - something about the dominion of the church which sounds about right.
so tenderly narrated by both of you, thanks a lot. And see you in Munich at "Alte Meister Multimedial" maybe soon?
We would love to get back to Munich and its great museums.
Unfortunately, I missed it when I went to Rome some years ago. However, I've used your "lessons" to visit about 20 Roman churches... Anyway, I find the execution of mosaics more naturalistic, but at the same time cruder than that of Cosma & Damian Basilica
I really appreciate that these wonderful art history videos are offered so generously, but I wish the word polytheist was used (as it was in the text) instead of "Pagan". Pagan, which means something like "villager" has nothing to do with poytheism.
What is the address? I can’t find it.
Via Urbana, 160, 00184 Roma
Why does he whisper?
🤫 you need to stop shouting!
Because they are showing respect for the church’s sacred space.