Manana Odisheli of the Centre for Archaeological Studies of the Georgian Academy of Sciences, Tbilisi (emerita): The art of mosaic
The
art of mosaic flourished during Roman times and had been produced on an
industrial scale for emperors and wealthy citizens. Floor mosaics with
lavishly decorated mythological scenes and patterns applied to luxury
villas and baths throughout the Roman Empire and beyond.
Many mosaics withstood time due to durability of its technique and remain one of the major sources for our knowledge of paintings, murals and textiles of antiquity. Roman craftsmen travelled widely as did their pattern books, spreading the art of mosaic throughout the Roman provinces creating major centres in Asia Minor (notably Antioch), North Africa or Britain.
Roman cultural impact became more evident in ancient Georgia (Iberia) from the third century AD. At Dzalisi, mentioned by Ptolemy (Geogr. 5. 10.3) excavations revealed an elaborate architectural complex the floors of which were paved with figurative mosaics. Scenes involving Dionysus the wine-god predominate. The cult of Dionysus is attested in Georgia from the classical period and was very much at home in the land of winemaking and feasting.
Manana Odisheli of the Centre for Archaeological Studies of the Georgian Academy of Sciences, Tbilisi (emerita) will present "The art of mosaic" at a free public lecture on Thursday, February 21st at 7:00pm, sponsored by the CU Department of Classics. This lecture will be held in Hellems Room 201 at the University of Colorado Boulder.
Many mosaics withstood time due to durability of its technique and remain one of the major sources for our knowledge of paintings, murals and textiles of antiquity. Roman craftsmen travelled widely as did their pattern books, spreading the art of mosaic throughout the Roman provinces creating major centres in Asia Minor (notably Antioch), North Africa or Britain.
Roman cultural impact became more evident in ancient Georgia (Iberia) from the third century AD. At Dzalisi, mentioned by Ptolemy (Geogr. 5. 10.3) excavations revealed an elaborate architectural complex the floors of which were paved with figurative mosaics. Scenes involving Dionysus the wine-god predominate. The cult of Dionysus is attested in Georgia from the classical period and was very much at home in the land of winemaking and feasting.
Manana Odisheli of the Centre for Archaeological Studies of the Georgian Academy of Sciences, Tbilisi (emerita) will present "The art of mosaic" at a free public lecture on Thursday, February 21st at 7:00pm, sponsored by the CU Department of Classics. This lecture will be held in Hellems Room 201 at the University of Colorado Boulder.
posted by Classics Department
