Early Mosaics: The Foundations of a Timeless Art

The story of mosaic art began in the ancient world, where it evolved from simple pebble arrangements to elaborate masterpieces which have lasted through time. This post outlines a general view of the origins and development of ancient mosaics, covering basic techniques and materials involved, and some important works that remain up to this day.

 

The Early Beginnings of Mosaic Art

 

Mesopotamia and Egypt:

The very earliest known mosaics date back to around 3000 BCE in Mesopotamia, in the city of Uruk. These early mosaics were made out of stones and shells of colors inlaid into the walls, pavement, and columns to form some sort of decoration. In ancient Egypt, the same technique was applied on temple walls and those of tombs, with elements in intricate geometrical designs.

 

Greek Innovations

By the 5th century BCE, the Greeks had considerably improved upon that type of art. Greek mosaics often covered the floors of private houses and public buildings; they depicted a variety of scenes from mythology, animals, and intricate patterns. One of the most famous examples is the "Alexander Mosaic," originally from the House of the Faun in Pompeii, vividly portraying the Battle of Issus between Alexander the Great and Darius III of Persia.

 

Roman Mosaics: Art in Everyday Life

 

The Romans carried mosaic art to the extreme by putting it into nearly every semblance of daily life. Roman mosaics ornamented private homes, public baths, temples, and even streets.

 

Methods and Materials

Generally, mosaic art in Roman times was constructed from small, uniformly cut pieces of stone or glass, that enabled the artist to create detailed and realistic images; these methods were known as tesserae. The most common techniques employed were those of

 

- Opus Tessellatum: Larger tesserae are used to form bold, striking patterns and images, as visible in large floor mosaics.

- Opus Vermiculatum: The use of tiny tesserae that can make very fine curving lines, hence highly detailed and realistic portraits and scenes that imitated natural forms.

 

Notable Works

- Villa Romana del Casale: This Roman villa is located in Sicily and is famous for its extended, very well-preserved mosaics, including the famous "Bikini Girls" mosaic, showing the image of women in athletic pose.

- Pompeii and Herculaneum: The ruins of these ancient cities, so remarkably preserved by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE, hold a large number of mosaics, which are of unsurpassed beauty. One is the "Alexander Mosaic," testifying to the acme of technical skill and artistic expression achieved by Roman mosaicists.

- Ostia Antica: In the ancient port city of Rome, many mosaics have been found within Ostia Antica, which decorated public baths, houses, and temples. Most of the mosaics present in this city represented maritime themes because of the city's relation with the sea.

 

Techniques and Styles of Ancient Mosaics

 

Techniques and styles associated with mosaic works developed in the ancient world as a function of the creativity and ingenuity of the early artists.

 

Pebble Mosaics

The first mosaics used naturally colored pebbles, set in simple patterns or representations. In this way, pebble mosaics furnished the groundwork for the development of more sophisticated techniques.

 

Stone and Glass Tesserae

Stone and glass tesserae supplied artists with the wherewithal for detailed work. With colored glass, it became possible to have bright, glittering mosaic effects, as especially seen in Roman and Byzantine art.

 

Floor Mosaics

Floor mosaics were common in both Greek and Roman architecture. Favorite themes for these mosaics were mythological scenes, hunting scenes, and intricate geometric patterns. Since stone and glass were durable materials, the mosaic technique was considered very suitable for flooring.

 

Wall and Ceiling Mosaics

While floor mosaics were dominant, wall and ceiling mosaics became more frequent in later periods, notably in Roman and Byzantine architecture. These mosaics usually featured religious themes and served to adorn temples, churches, and public buildings.

 

Legacy of Ancient Mosaics

 

Ancient mosaics have left an almost indelible mark on the art world. Those beauties and complexities, to this day remaining, inspire and influence many contemporary artists and mosaic enthusiasts alike. Procedures and materials the ancient mosaicists worked out laid the groundwork for generations to come and have influenced the evolution of mosaic art across cultures and through the ages.

 

In the following post, behold the glory of Byzantine mosaics at work, where truly ancient techniques were taken to new heights of luxury and meaning. Join me in the Golden Age of mosaic art in the next post.

 

In the meantime you can read more here:

Mosaics in Roman Britain: Stories in Stone

The Mosaics of Alexandria: Pavements of Greek and Roman Egypt

 

Photo by Josh Chiodo on Unsplash