Rome, Italy: Basilica of Saint Praxedes: Chapel of San Zeno: Interior Art 2
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Authors
Sheppard, Beth M.
Issue Date
19-May-17
Type
Image
Language
Keywords
Italy , Rome , Basilica di Santa Prassede all Esquilino , Basilica of Saint Praxedes , Chapels , Chapel of Saint Zeno , Cappella di San Zenone , Byzantine Art , Mosaics , Jesus Christ in Art , Virgin Mary in Art , Saint Praxedes in Art , Saint Pudenziana in Art
Alternative Title
Abstract
Description
The Basilica of Saint Praxedes (in Italian: Basilica di Santa Prassede, commonly known as Santa Prassede) is a Catholic basilica located in the Rione Esquilino (or district of Esquiline). Esquiline is the name of a Roman hill, one of seven on which the ancient city was built. The church was rebuilt by Pope Pasquale I in 822 CE and was restored multiple times since then. It was built principally as a resting place for the relics of Roman martyrs and was dedicated to the second-century Saint Praxedes, who was the daughter of a Roman senator. Along with her sister, Praxedes provided comfort and care to Christians persecuted in the Roman Empire. The sisters were murdered for burying early Christian martyrs, which defied Roman law. The church is known for being the most important example of early Christian Byzantine art in Rome because of the mosaics decorating its apse and side chapels. The photograph shows part of the architecture and artwork of the right lateral Chapel of Saint Zeno (Cappella di San Zenone) within the Basilica. Pope Paschal built the funerary chapel for his mother, Theodora. Within this niche (opposite the entrance of the chapel) is a mosaic of the infant Jesus on his mother's lap. Mary wears a red robe and blue mantle with a star above her forehead. Jesus holds a scroll with the words EGO SUM LUX: "I am the light." It is thought that representations of Saints Praxedes and Pudenziana are flanking the central figures. This mosaic is ca. 1265-1285.
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License
CC BY-NC-SA 4.0