Christ 1320

This image of Christ in the Chora Church, Istanbul, was created by Byzantine mosaic artists using small pieces of colored material, called tesserae. These artists were masters of their craft, skillfully arranging each tessera to bring an image to life. Consider the physical labor involved in creating such a mosaic: quarrying stones, mixing glass, cutting each piece to the perfect size, and setting them into the wall with mortar. The result is an image that shimmers with light and color, the varied angles of the tesserae reflecting light in all directions. This would have had a profound impact on the viewer, creating a sacred atmosphere. While mosaics may not have been considered ‘high art’ in the traditional sense, the skills, materials, and sheer effort involved elevate them to a unique status. By examining the materials and the making, we gain a deeper understanding of the cultural significance of this work.