Ravenna, Italy: Baptistery of the Orthodox: First Dome Throne
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Authors
Sheppard, Beth M.
Issue Date
22-May-17
Type
Image
Language
Keywords
Italy , Ravenna , Baptistery of the Orthodox , Neonian Baptistery , Baptistery of Neon , Battistero Neoniano , Orthodox Baptistery , Battistero Ortodosso , Baptistry of the Cathedral , Domed Ceilings , Byzantine Art , Mosaics , Trompe L'oeil , Hetoimasia in Art , Throne of Preparation in Art
Alternative Title
Abstract
Description
A portion of the mosaic art in the Baptistery of the Orthodox (Neonian Baptistery; Baptistery of Neon; Battistero Neoniano; Orthodox Baptistery; Battistero Ortodosso; Baptistry of the Cathedral). The mosaic mimics the actual architectural detail of the building in a trompe l'oeil fashion. According to https://www.turismo.ra.it/en/culture-and-history/religious-buildings/neonian-baptistery/, the Baptistery's "inner decorations, especially the mosaics, are so astounding that even Carl Gustav Jung, one of the fathers of Psychoanalysis, was struck by their magic, so much so that he described his visit as a wonderful 'hallucination'." This portion of the mosaic is on the lower wheel band, or outermost one, of the dome's tripartite decorations, and consists of eight parts in which empty seats alternate with heavenly gardens and altars. This particular mosaic is one of four thrones in this outermost band, each with a seat cushion, a cross, and a draped cloth. The throne represents sovereignty. According to https://iconreader.wordpress.com/2013/06/27/hetoimasia-the-throne-of-preparation/, the Hetoimasia, "or Throne of Preparation, is one of the most widespread images in iconography, particularly in Orthodox Christianity. It very rarely dominates any composition it is part of, so the image and its significance can be overlooked."
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License
CC BY-NC-SA 4.0