Compare And Contrast Roman And Byzantine Mosaics

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Both Byzantine and Roman mosaics developed at a similar time which led to the influenced upon one another. They possessed distinct techniques, materials, styles and subject matter. Byzantine structures emphasized on decorative touches while Roman mosaics were greatly functional. Both styles were enhanced in order to honour religious figures and domestic life (Ovadiah, 1987).
Romans were able to install mosaics in private and public locations since their origin was of roadways. Mosaics were located on the floors in bath houses and gardens. The mosaic technique was able to expand since the Roman Empire expanded towards the west of Britain. The Roman mosaics portrayed few skills in complexity as compared to the counterparts in Italy. In the other hand, Byzantines were good at decorating ceilings and walls with the mosaics in terms of the religious public building.
Byzantine mosaics developed depicted subjects with shimmering skin and shinning halos which brought up an effect of an accomplished gold leaf and smalti. The Roman mosaics featured domestic scenes, animal sacrifices and geometric patterns which led to the creation or display of Christian imagery in terms of depicting Christ.
Byzantine mosaics demonstrated the large wall covering the techniques of the era which was viewed at the church of Nuovo. It …show more content…

The Byzantine mosaic was an early Christian predecessor whereby it clear cuts the religious tales drawn from the bible. There was a combination of forces between the political and religious authority which gave the emperor power over the architecture and art of Byzantine Empire. The Roman Empire was collapsing due to the interruption by German tribes hence they were not able to teach manners and morals according to the artistic and cultural ways of the mosaics hence they were unable to determine art of the early Christianity while the art of Byzantine

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