
Mausloeum of Galla Placidia
The Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, built in 425 A.D., with its unique early Christian mosaics, is one of the eight amazing UNESCO World Heritage sites in the city of Ravenna.
Although the imperial couple never actually came to Ravenna, they
wanted to manifest themselves to the people to emphasise the close
relationship between Ravenna and Constantinople. Justinian and
Theodora’s faces were realised as portraits, thanks to preparatory
drawings sent throughout empire. Justinian, of whom it is possible to
admire a detail of the face, is the focal point of the representation of
the court and of the major exponents of military and spiritual authority.
He is beardless and has large eyes, staring at a distant point. His head
is encircled by a purple-bordered halo, symbol of the power received
directly by God. The golden crown, adorned with pearls and gems, is
refined with golden pendilia falling behind the ears. A precious fibula
fixes on his right shoulder the purple cloak, enriched with a golden
tablion decorated with little green parrots. The mosaic is realised with
great skill in the rendering of anatomical details, in the precious purple
cloth and embroidery. Astonishing is the richness of the gold tesserae,
giving the image an otherworldly and eternal appearance.
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