Roman mosaic in the House of Amphitrite
Located at Bulla Regia, an archaeological site in northwestern Tunisia, a former Roman city near modern Jendouba
Richard Mortel-flickr
The ancient art of mosaics stands as a symbol of eternity, due to its adoption by notable architects and artists in many great places of worship and in the adornment of ancient buildings and homes. Monumental murals, facades, floors and ceilings were ideal features for the mosaic medium as it was durable and easily adapted to intricate shapes and designs. Some of the finest examples of mosaic art can be found in the ancient art from the Greco-Roman world. The most popular subject for mosaics was mythological scenes, such as the triumphs of Neptune or Dionysos, which are the most frequently found. The Orpheus myth (with animals) and the muses (Clio, Melpomene, Thalia, Terpsichore, Urania, Euterpe, Calliope, Polyhymnia and Erato), sometimes with the god Apollo, are also often illustrated. Inspiration could also come from daily life, like dancing, hunting, agriculture, fishing, as well as arts and crafts. Amphitheater activities such as gladiator fights and circus games were also a much-appreciated subject for mosaics.The most famous mosaics of the Roman world were created in Africa and in Syria, the two richest provinces of the Roman Empire.
Arabic mosaic of ancient mosque in Saint Petersburg
Mosaics were also widely utilized in Islamic art, the medium being ideal for their use of complex geometric patterns and symbols on their secular buildings and huge Mosque structures. The Byzantine churches also contained many fine examples of this art form.
After the Roman authorities had decriminalised Christianity in the 4th Century, Constantine the Great and his mother Helena and the emerging Christian faith were prepared to build larger and more handsome edifices for worship than the furtive meeting-places (such as cave-churches). The pagan outdoor architectural designs were replaced by temples for conducting worship indoors which eventually became grand architectural monuments of art featuring numerous depictions of saints and religious scenes.
Good early examples of the architectural basilica and use of mosaics include the Church of the Nativity at Bethlehem (6th century AD) and the church of St Elias at Thessalonica (5th century AD).
Mosaic facade at the Basilica St. Mark, Venice
The word “mosaic” comes from the Italian word mazaico and the French word mozaique.
The magnificence of Byzantine architecture and mosaic art can be found in the two great basilicas of Ravenna in Italy. The most significant works all date back to between the fifth and sixth centuries after Basileus Justinian “The Great”, who became emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire in 527AD with his royal headquarters in Constantinople, decided to liberate Italy from the Goths.
Images representing the mighty mosaics in ancient, antique and contemporary art are displayed below.
Stunning mosaics mixed with religious scenes and geometric detail
Santa Maria dell’ Ammiraglio church, dating from the 1140’s, Palermo
Aztec turquoise mosaic mask The mask is made of cedar wood and covered with turquoise mosaic. The elliptical eyes consist of mother-of-pearl and the teeth are made of conch shell.
FransVandewalle – flickr
Native Latin American cultures developed mosaic art, the oldest pre-Columbian examples appear to date to around 600 BCE. Their mosaics featured precious stones such as tourquoise and coral and precious metals such as gold. and were used to adorn statues, ornament shields and body armor.
Roman Mosaic depicting the Triumph of Neptune, Bardo Museum, Tunisia
Bardo National Museum, Tunisia
Abstract mosaic wall art – thenatureofmosaic
Gretchen McPherson – flickr
Morning Breezes by Linda Biggers- eggshell mosaic
3 Naïades Outdoor mosaic mural – Valerie and Dominique Villena ( I-Mosaique )
Interpretation of a painting by Tylek
Vibrant mosaic floral bathroom decoration – SICIS
Forest designed by Yulia Hanansen
Great Lakes Ecosystems Mosaic Murals at Matthaei Botanical Gardens
Mosaic like painting by Vladimir Rasputin
Honey McCrary mosaic – Liza
Malibu’s La Villa Contenta mosaic tiled floor
Ancient Roman mosaic depicting Achiles dragging the body of Hector around the city of Troy
Spiraling In – Anja Berkers
Antonella Gallenda- floral mosaic art
Swan Lake Mosaic by Laura and Jack Harris
melonheadgallery on Flickr
Mosaic Mural – Pomona Mall, LA – Millard Sheets, 1962
Photo – Annie Laskey
Laura Harris Beautiful Fragments mosaic
Beci Whatley — Peacock Feather
Created using a build up of painted dots, mirrors and-rhinestone gems
Mosaic art India
Drake—Casablanca – George Fishman
Nightmusic – Carl and Sandra Bryant
Glass, semi precious stones, beads and ceramic pieces
Showcase Mosaics
Paeggio Umbro Conceived by Igor Marziali based on art by Gerardo Dottori
MosaicReplublic
In Den Besherfden Schuyt-(can be translated as In a barge ) byPerryTak
Amsterdan
Japanese Storks – Carl and Sandra Bryant
Dans le Pré, mosaic by Francoise Moulet
Underwater Dance mosaic by David Chidgey
2008
Overcast – Honey McCrary
Days of Birds by mosaicist Nikki Whitlock
Paleo Christian mosaic – Bardo Museum
Richard Mortel – flickr
Dolce and Gabbana mosaic inspired outfit
Mosaic Bondi Dreaming – Andy Solo – Flickr
Dragonfly Gazing Ball –
Enchanted Mosaics etsy
Eadweard Muybridge Mosaic–Kingston 2004
Emmamarie-flickr
La playa de ipanema – Roberto Burle Marx
Jamestown 3–Third panel of three of a stained glass mosaic.- Barbara Benson Keith
Jamestown hospital, North Dakota
La Treccia Bionda by Evelina Della Vedova for the studio Scuola Mosaicisti de Friuli
(based on a Giovanni Boldini Painting)
Venice Grand Canal mosaic art
Haman Leading Mordechai on Royal Horse from the book The Hidden and the Revealed: The Queen Esther Mosaics of Lilian Broca
Canadian artist Lilian Broca mosaic art
New York mosaic art
Lisa Arnold – flickr
Metamorphosis mosaic by Mia Tavonatti
A Michelangelo mosaic at St Peters
Howard Burton-flickr
Vienna mosaic in the shopping street of Kärntner Straße 16
Frida Kahlo mosaic table top — Schandra Julia Zmijeski Mosaico
” They thought I was a Surrealist, but I never painted dreams, I just painted my own reality.”
‘ Naiads 2’ — Porcelain mosaic outdoor mural—by I Mosaique
Mosaic art bottle – Nancy Keating
Large floor mosaics of the Basilica of Aquileia – stories of Jonah
‘ Peacocks’ mosaic wall art by Ilana Shafir
Polymer clay mosaic-Wind Dancer by eggshelllady, via Flickr
Valerie Nardin mosaic ovoid vessel
Ragazza Con Scodella-(Girl With Bowl),- Original artist – Felice Casorati
A mosaic made by Maestro Igor Maziali using marble, stone, brick, ecological smalti, Venetian smalti and limestone
School garden Kagran Leherb mosaic- ‘Blumengoettin flora and Gaertner god Vertumnus’
1960
Mosaic Birdbath — Carl and Sandra Bryant
http://www.showcasemosaics.com/
Birds piece created for a community garden in Manchester, designed with pupils from Higher Openshaw Community Primary School.
Mosaic Painting Gondolier
‘Missed Connections 2’ – Victor Jorgensen
The Morello Bakery Art Nouveau wall mosaic mural, Palermo, Sicily
A mosaic created by African American artist, Louis Delsarte, celebrating the art scene in Harlem New York. It was assembled in Munich, Germany and located at the façade of Citi One Bank on Frederick Douglass Boulevard and 125th street.
islandvoice.org
Terry Yumbulul, Lloyd Kelemen and Justin Robson floor mosaic
Sulphur Crested Cockatoos – Tiffany Studios, Mosaic Panel
Topaz Pool – Abstract mosaic by Lori Desormeaux
Gena – SICIS
Mosaic Hippo by thenatureofmosaic.
Marialuisa Tadei “Il Castello di Sole” – The Castle of the Sun – 2013
280 x 490 x 280 cm. Silk, mosaic, wood. 2013 Venice Biennale
Read more about this remarkable mosaic sculpture here at Mosaicartnow
Trompe-l’oeil – garden fish pond mosaic – Gary Drostle,
Woolwich, UK
‘Fall of The Empire’ Stained Glass on MDF — Nina Glaser
‘The Gardener’ mosaico by Schandra Trabalhos
‘Durango’ – Chris Emmert – mixed media mosaic
‘Lovers’ – mosaic table top
wernerio22 – Flickr
‘Take Off ‘— Nina Glaser
21 x 17 inches
