Ravenna: A Treasury of Mosaics

This study day is available as both an in person and a recording only event. The recording will be made available to ALL attendees on the Monday following the event and will be available for 2 weeks.

This day explores some of the finest and best-preserved Early Christian and Byzantine buildings and mosaics to survive from the fifth and sixth centuries. Ravenna was ruled in turn by the Western Roman emperors, the Ostrogoths, and the Byzantines. From the exquisite decoration of the small so-called mausoleum of Galla Placidia to the impressive biblical and imperial mosaics in San Vitale, the sites in Ravenna reveal a complex and fascinating history and are a testament to lavish patronage. Two unparalleled baptisteries remain, as well as the archiepiscopal chapel, all with a remarkable amount of their original mosaic work. The church of Sant’ Apollinare Nuovo has mosaics of the Ostrogoth ruler Theodoric’s palace and the port of Classe, as well as processing male and female martyrs. Classe also has its own uniquely decorated church. Further riches of Ravenna include decorated sarcophagi, an ivory book cover with richly detailed carving and the celebrated ivory throne, known as the chair of Maximianus. In addition, the course will discuss the history of the period, the lives of the city’s patrons and mosaic technique and carving techniques.

Lecture 1 – Ravenna in the fifth century: Seat of the western Roman emperor and female patronage

Lecture 2 – Ravenna’s baptisteries: Origins, meanings, and techniques

Lecture 3 – Ravenna in the sixth century: A wealthy banker invests

Lecture 4 – Ravenna restyled: Appropriation and skilled artisans