Wall mosaics
- Tamer Hasbun
- Feb 4, 2020
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 22, 2020
New mosaics were created in 1169 that portray the Virgin Mary in the apse; Gospel scenes in the transept; the genealogy of Jesus, the provincial councils of Syria-Palestine, and the angels in the main nave; and the Tree of Jesse on the counter façade.
An angel with splendid silver garments descends to earth from a golden sky.
A detail of the skin is worth noticing: the artist realized this masterpiece with 450 tesserae for each square decimeter.
Between the windows of the nave, a procession of angels descending to earth leads the visitor to the Grotto of the Nativity. Worth noticing are the beauty and elegance of the garments and the first figure on the right – the famous seventh angel, which had been hidden and recently rediscovered under the plaster, thanks to thermographic analyses.
The north transept is decorated with the Parables of Jesus: in the center is the Virgin Mary, surrounded by two angels and the apostles, as they witness the Ascension of Jesus. Unfortunately, part of the mosaic has been lost.
The mosaic artists, Basilius and Efraim, used stones of different colors, glass tesserae in gold and silver, and mother-of-pearl inserts. The tesserae are often tilted to better reflect the light and amaze the visitors.
In the background, the architectural elements represent the Cenacle and frame the scene of St. Thomas’ disbelief when faced with Jesus’s resurrection. Skilled restoration work brought back the original splendor of the colors and details of the piece.
Details of the mosaic decoration. Above, the sense of movement portrayed by the sandals on the disciples’ feet. At the bottom, the firm grip of Jesus leads the hand of St. Thomas towards the wound in his side.
St. John is shown with a green tunic.
Images of Jesus’ ancestors can be seen in the frame over the cedar wood architrave and, above it, the dictates of the ecumenical council of Constantinople (381) are represented in a triumph of colors and vegetal motifs.
The ornamental design that frames the first seven ecumenical councils evokes typical figures and vegetal motifs of Middle Eastern art: wonderful decorations with mother-of-pearl and glass tesserae on a golden background.
Ritual objects such as glass vials and lamps – similar to the ones discovered during the archaeological excavations – can also be found in the decorative repertoire. Mosaic details are realized using mother-of-pearl, typical of this area.
A detail of the Transfiguration of Jesus on Mount Tabor. The scene is set in a rich natural landscape with highly detailed plants and flowers, and framed by Middle Eastern-style decorations. Below is Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem in the midst of a cheering crowd.
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