History

  6TH CENTURY MOSAIC – CHIESA DI SANT’APOLLINARE NUOVO, RAVENNA   Wonderful example of 6th century feminine fashion: the tunic is enriched by the central patagium; the dalmatic  of a most rich, austere fabric, with its oblique lower line which breaks up the garment’s monotonous symmetry – an interesting attempt …

EUFRASIO THE BISHOP, CLAUDIO THE ARCHDEACON AND HIS YOUNG SON” – 6TH CENTURY MOSAIC – BASILICA, PARENZO (ISTRIA).   The archdeacon is wearing the white dalmatic (tunic) decorated with red stripes running from the shoulders to the feet, and around the bottom of the sleeve, emphasising its amplitude; the baby …

  “OUR LADY OF MERCY” – FRAGMENT OF ANTIQUE MOSAIC– EARLY 8th CENTURY– CHIESA DI SAN MARCO, FLORENCE     The Virgin Mary is portrayed in the traditional sovereign pomp of the Byzantine Court and wearing a gleaming crown crenellated with jewels. A gleaming belt of pearls, closed by a …

  8TH CENTURY– SANTA MARIA IN ARACOELI, ROME   In the 8th century, women wore a type of closed, loose mantle with a hood that is put on over the head. Under the mantle is a tight-sleeved tunic. Precious golden embroideries adorn it.

                   MOSAIC RESTORED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 1800S ALONG TRACES OF THE 6TH CENTURY ORIGINAL– BASILICA DI SANT’AMBROGIO, MILAN   The 6th century, masculine clothing is tightly tied to the late-Roman tradition. The figure on the left has a cape resembling the draping of the pallium. The other …