Wednesday 16 May 2012

magnificent mosaics

and here I should acknowledge the images are courtesy of Keith,
who is a professional photographer and has a really good camera!
you might like to check out his website under Photographic 
Pictures, in a day or two when he should have downloaded
his images of Istanbul


Byzantine mosaics were designed to be seen in lamp or candle light, to show off  the
workmanship to it's best advantage.  Flickering light reflected in the pieces of glass 
and gold.   Now we have to rely on natural light and imagine the effect which, must have
been fabulous.     They are set high up, a neck craning experience.



the Virgin Mary


Emperor Constantine IX


Empress Zoe




Empress Irene


painted mural of an angel
one of four on each corner
just under the main dome


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