The Mosaics of Ravenna: A Glittering Vision in Glass and Gold

About this event

Once the capital of the Western Roman Empire, the Ostragothic kingdom, and the Byzantine Exarchate, the Italian city of Ravenna is best known today for its many extraordinary mosaic decorations dating to the 5th and 6th centuries. Made up of seemingly countless glass, stone, and gold-leaf tesserae, these mosaic decorations would have almost appeared to glitter with a celestial light. They collectively reflect a confluence of imperial ambitions, complex theological concepts, and remarkable artistic skill. With several UNESCO World Heritage Sites located throughout the city-including the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, the Church of San Vitale, and the Basilica of Sant' Apollinare Nuovo-Ravenna is an essential center for understanding the development of early Christian visual culture, and the medium of mosaic in particular. In this beautifully illustrated lecture, art historian Sophia D'Addio of Columbia University offers an immersive exploration of the art-historical riches of Ravenna, analyzing how its mosaics both reflect previous traditions and introduce innovative iconographies and visual motifs, just as they serve as an enduring testament to the skilled artisans who produced them and the powerful patrons who commissioned them. General Information View Common FAQs and Policies about our Online Programs on Zoom .