Monreale_Cathedral_mosaics

Monreale Cathedral mosaics

Monreale Cathedral mosaics

Mosaics at Monreale Cathedral in Sicily


The Monreale Cathedral Mosaics are the main internal feature of Monreale Cathedral in the city of Palermo, Sicily, Italy; the mosaics cover 6,500 m2. They are made of glass tesserae and were executed in Byzantine style between the late 12th and the mid-13th centuries by both local masters.[1] With the exception of a high dado, made of marble slabs with bands of mosaic between them, the whole interior surface of the walls, including soffits and jambs of all the arches, is covered with minute mosaic-pictures in bright colors on a gold ground. The mosaic pictures, depicting stories from both the Old and New Testament, are arranged in tiers, divided by horizontal and vertical bands. In parts of the choir there are five of these tiers of subjects or single figures one above another.

East Apse

The half dome of the central apse has a colossal half-length figure of Christ, with a seated Virgin and Child below; the other apses have full-length figures of St Peter and St Paul. Inscriptions on each picture explain the subject or saint represented; these are in Latin, except some few which are in Greek. The subjects in the nave begin with scenes from the Book of Genesis, illustrating the Old Testament types of Christ and His scheme of redemption, with figures of those who prophesied and prepared for His coming. Around the lower tier and the choir are subjects from the New Testament, chiefly representing Christ's miracles and suffering, with apostles, evangelists and other saints. The design, execution and choice of subjects all appear to be of Byzantine origin, the subjects being selected from the Menologion of Basil II drawn up by the emperor Basil II in the 10th century.

By location[2]

Inner facade

Madonna col Bambino.
Madonna col Bambino.
More information Level, South side ...

South side

Lower register (south side).
Lower register (south side).
More information Transept, Choir, Apse, Bifora ...

Saints

North wall

Bottom register of the north side of the nave.
Bottom register of the north side of the nave.
More information Transept, Choir, Apse, Bifora ...

Saints

East Apses

More information Register, Left apse ...

Apsidal arch

King William II Crowned by Christ King William II Offering the Church to the Virgin Mary

Old Testament

Creation cycle

More information Latin inscription, Translation ...

Earthly Paradise cycle

More information Latin inscription, Translation ...

Noah's Flood cycle

More information Latin inscription, Translation ...

Abram cycle

More information Latin inscription, Translation ...

New Testament

Life of Christ

Christ's Miracles (south side)

More information Latin inscription, Translation ...

Christ's Miracles (north side)

More information Latin inscription, Translation ...

Nativity (south side)

Christ Tempted
More information Latin inscription, Translation ...

Passion (south side)

Madonna and Child Christ Washing the Disciples' Feet Arrest of Christ Last Supper
More information Latin inscription, Translation ...

Saint Peter cycle

More information Latin inscription, Translation ...

Saint Paul cycle

More information Latin inscription, Translation ...

References

  1. Guida d'Italia. Touring Club Italiano.
  2. (in Italian) Michele del Giudice in Descrizione Del Real Tempio, E Monasterio Di Santa Maria Nuova, di Morreale.
  3. Bottom register of south transept
  4. Michele del Giudice, Descrizione..., page 12.
  5. Bottom register of the north side
  6. Michele del Giudice, Descrizione..., page 13.
  7. Michele del Giudice, Descrizione..., pages 8-9.
  8. Michele del Giudice, Descrizione..., page 9.
  9. Michele del Giudice, Descrizione..., pages 9-10.
  10. Michele del Giudice, Descrizione..., page 10.
  11. Michele del Giudice, Descrizione..., pages 11-12.
  12. Michele del Giudice, Descrizione..., pages 12-13.
  13. Michele del Giudice, Descrizione..., page 15.
  14. Michele del Giudice, Descrizione..., page 18.
  15. Michele del Giudice, Descrizione..., page 17.

Bibliography


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