Koimesis Mosaic 1320

This mosaic of the Koimesis, or Dormition of the Virgin, was made during the late Byzantine era, using countless tiny tesserae of colored glass and stone. The effect of a mosaic depends so much on the material. Each individual piece is set at a slightly different angle, catching the light. The whole surface shimmers, as if alive. This visual effect is intrinsic to the medium. It couldn't be achieved through painting. Mosaics like this one were not the work of a single artist. They represent the coordinated labor of workshops, each artisan responsible for setting particular colors or working in certain areas. The end result is a testament to faith, but also to the intense collaborative work needed to produce such an elaborate display. Considering the materials and the process, we can see that this mosaic is not just a picture, but also an embodiment of shared belief and collective effort.