Rome, Italy: Basilica of Saint Praxedes: Chapel of San Zeno: Interior Art 3
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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 , Saints in Art , Hetoimasia , Second Coming of Christ 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 mosaic decoration 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. The interior of this chapel is completely covered in mosaic decorations. The photograph shows a depiction of an eastern iconographical theme, the hetoimasia, which is a Greek term meaning "preparation of the throne." An empty throne signifies awaiting the Second Coming of Christ for the Day of Judgment. In the mosaic, representations of Saint Peter and Saint Paul gesture to the throne; they are protectors of the Roman church. The flowers at their feet depict the heavenly garden of eternal spring.
Citation
Publisher
License
CC BY-NC-SA 4.0