Basilica of San Vitale
The basilica of San Vitale was built in 546-548 on the place that San Vitale dead a martyr. There are mosaics inside of the building. The top of the building is used mosaic of glass, and bottom have mosaic of marble. The story of the mosaics are included the story of bible like the story of Abel, and Issac.
Empress Theodora
''The Empress Theodora and Retinue,'' Basilica of San Vitale, 547
San Vitale have the mosaic of
Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora. Theodora mosaic is opposite the mosaic of Justinian, his husband. The mosaic is very glitter using specific methods. The each piece of mosaic is settled certain angle. And certain part of mosaics use gold. She decorated with many beautiful gems. Nevertheless, she was born lower class. She was a dancer or actress not loyal person. Her father was a trainer of bear. However, she was very attractive women despite of her low status, because it did not matter for Justinian to marry her. It is not strange that Theodora is explained attractive in this mosaic. At the same time, however, it might be important to show her loyalty on the mosaic because her past was very extreme issue at that time. The mosaic has several features of loyalty to support her royalty.
San Vitale have the mosaic of
Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora. Theodora mosaic is opposite the mosaic of Justinian, his husband. The mosaic is very glitter using specific methods. The each piece of mosaic is settled certain angle. And certain part of mosaics use gold. She decorated with many beautiful gems. Nevertheless, she was born lower class. She was a dancer or actress not loyal person. Her father was a trainer of bear. However, she was very attractive women despite of her low status, because it did not matter for Justinian to marry her. It is not strange that Theodora is explained attractive in this mosaic. At the same time, however, it might be important to show her loyalty on the mosaic because her past was very extreme issue at that time. The mosaic has several features of loyalty to support her royalty.
Story about Theodora Mosaic
First one is the color of purple. At that time, the color of purple means royal because it was very expensive color. Compared with her retinue, the portion of purple clothes is placed overwhelmingly. Even left of two men just have small portions of purple. They seems like priest, because left of fountain that means the door is holy place. In front of the holy place, there is bowl of water because of cleaning up their body before offering.
Second background of her head is the gold round. It shows holly and sacred, so it was usually show Jesus or Saint. Except her, retinue did not have it. She is expressed taller than retinue in the mosaic, goldround makes her extremly tall. It shows her power not anymore lower class person.
Lastly, the bottom of her purple gown is woven three magi bearing gifts. The story is very sacred. It could interpret as she enter to offer wine to god. The vessel which is held carefully by two hands are supported it.
Theodora seems like most powerful women at that time. Not she is just as a Empress, also she has an important political status. She made Justinian did not avoid from rebellion and against them. In this result, Justinian could keep his throne. Also she tried to develop female's right. For example, she was made some rules to protect young homeless girls. Not only she is expressed having power, but also she is very strong women throughout history.
Second background of her head is the gold round. It shows holly and sacred, so it was usually show Jesus or Saint. Except her, retinue did not have it. She is expressed taller than retinue in the mosaic, goldround makes her extremly tall. It shows her power not anymore lower class person.
Lastly, the bottom of her purple gown is woven three magi bearing gifts. The story is very sacred. It could interpret as she enter to offer wine to god. The vessel which is held carefully by two hands are supported it.
Theodora seems like most powerful women at that time. Not she is just as a Empress, also she has an important political status. She made Justinian did not avoid from rebellion and against them. In this result, Justinian could keep his throne. Also she tried to develop female's right. For example, she was made some rules to protect young homeless girls. Not only she is expressed having power, but also she is very strong women throughout history.
Citation
Rossi, Ferdinando. Mosaics :A Survey of Their History and Techniques, New York and Washington and London : Praeger Publishers, 1970.
Print.
Hutton, Edward. Ravenna : A Study, 2004, Project Gutenberg, Web. 1 April 2013.
Munroe, Nazanin. Dress Styles in the Mosaics of San Vitale, 25 June 2012. Web.
<http://www.metmuseum.org/en/exhibitions/listings/2012/byzantium-and-islam/blog/topical-essays/posts/san-vitale>
Rummel, Stan. The Empress Theodora and Retinue, 26 June 2007. Web. 1 April 2013. <http://faculty.txwes.edu/csmeller/human-
experience/ExpData09/03Biee/BieePICs/1ByzPICs/Ravenna/StVitale547/Theo01Ret497.htm>
Print.
Hutton, Edward. Ravenna : A Study, 2004, Project Gutenberg, Web. 1 April 2013.
Munroe, Nazanin. Dress Styles in the Mosaics of San Vitale, 25 June 2012. Web.
<http://www.metmuseum.org/en/exhibitions/listings/2012/byzantium-and-islam/blog/topical-essays/posts/san-vitale>
Rummel, Stan. The Empress Theodora and Retinue, 26 June 2007. Web. 1 April 2013. <http://faculty.txwes.edu/csmeller/human-
experience/ExpData09/03Biee/BieePICs/1ByzPICs/Ravenna/StVitale547/Theo01Ret497.htm>
