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Why do you think mosaic was a very popular kind of art in Byzantine? Byzantine artists tried to depict heaven in their art. To achieve their goals, Byzantine artists needed a new medium that would suggest divine and imperial splendour. They chose wall mosaic, which was later dubbed “painting for eternity”. Mosaic painting was not new. Centuries earlier, the Romans created elaborate mosaic floors that often looked like paintings. Roman mosaic floors are gorgeous, but the colours are dull compared to Byzantine mosaics. To produce this glittering effect, Byzantine artists used coloured glass instead of marble. The palette of colours included emerald greens, Mediterranean blues, royal purples and reds, glittering golds, and clear glass laid on a gold or silver backing called foil. Also the glass was cut at various angles, which makes light reflect off the surface in multiple directions. Byzantine mosaics seem to radiate light rather than reflect it. The downside of using coloured glass is that it doesn’t offer the variety that natural marbles do. You can’t create the subtle color gradations needed forshading and illusionistic effects. But Byzantine artists weren’t after realism. They wanted their mosaics to suggest visions of heaven. Complete the sentences: 1. The goal of Byzantine mosaic artists was … 2. Mosaic works were “painted for eternity” for … 3. Roman mosaics were gorgeous but … 4. Byzantine mosaic amazed views by … 5. Glass cut at various angles made … 6. Byzantine mosaics didn’t need any shading because …
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