The Monreale Cathedral Mosaics are the main internal feature of Monreale Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of the Assumption Monreale. The Cathedral's mosaics cover 6,500 m2. It was constructed at the orders of King William II and later was beatified to the Assumption of the Virgin. The Monreale Cathedral is located in the city of Palermo, Sicily, Italy. The mosaics are made up of glass tesserae in the Byzantine style. The Byzantine style was spread to areas if Italy due to trade and conquest. Recently, there has been an increase in research conducted on the Monreale Cathedral mosaics, to attempt to reveal methods by which they produced the mosaics after the 12th century.
History
editThe Monreale Cathedral was ordered to be constructed by King William II (1167 -1189). The cathedral was then erected in a royal park on the site of an earlier Greek church. However, work on the structure as well as its decoration was, for the most part, completed following the death of the king in 1189. The cathedral was then later consecrated to the Assumption of the Virgin.[1]
Description
editThe mosaics are made of glass tesserae and were executed in Byzantine style between the late 12th and the mid-13th centuries by both local masters.[2] With the exception of a high dado, made of marble slabs with bands of mosaic between them, the whole interior surface of the walls, including soffits and jambs of all the arches, is covered with minute mosaic-pictures in bright colors on a gold ground. The mosaic pictures, depicting stories from both the Old and New Testament, are arranged in tiers, divided by horizontal and vertical bands. In parts of the choir there are five of these tiers of subjects or single figures one above another.
The interior of the Monreale Cathedral is home to a plethora of religious mosaics. The interior is extremely vast and has a multitude of opulent decoration. Amongst the mosaics are also antique columns, marble paneling along the lower sections of the walls, and an elaborate floor in the sanctuary. The mosaics, which covering the upper sections of the sanctuary and nave walls, span approximately 6,500 square meters, as mentioned prior. This expansive array of mosaics makes the Monreale Cathedral home to Italy's most extensive mosaic decoration, which surpasses that of Venice's San Marco.
The Byzantine Style
editThe Byzantine style describes art that was produced by the Byzantine Empire during the Middle Ages. Byzantine art manifested in a variety of mediums, including painting, architecture, mosaics, metalwork, and ivory reliefs; however it is widely recognized for its use of opulent gold icons that continue to decorate many churches to this day.[3]
The Spread of Byzantine Art
editByzantium constituted the eastern branch of the Roman Empire, which at one point, encompassed extensive territories across the Mediterranean, including present-day Turkey, Southern Spain, and Italy.[3] Orthodox Christianity was established as the centralized form of religion, thereby infusing art that was created with predominantly devotional themes.
During the reign of Emperor Justinian, spanning from 527 to 565, Constantinople was established as the epicenter of the empire. Justinian also then led the creation of the Hagia Sophia, while creating workshops dedicated to a plethora of art forms, including icon painting, ivory carving, etc.[3] The Emperor pushed the dissemination of ideas and iconographic styles to Ravenna in Italy wherein the San Vitale church later came to epitomize the essence of the Byzantine era.
Byzantine style art was spread to areas of Italy and Sicily via trade as well as conquest.[4] The Byzantine style and forms of art then existed in a modified form throughout the 12th century, later being influential forces on forming Italian Renaissance art. Byzantine forms of art also reached eastern European areas, Russia in particular, through the growth of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Upon reaching Russia, Byzantine art styles remained prevalent with regional modifications, throughout the 17th century.[4]
The mosaics of the Cathedral of Monreale were influenced by the spread of Byzantine art throughout Southern Italy and Sicily. Many Byzantine artists remaining in Italy after the Islamic conquest of Sicily in 965, took part in decorating the interiors of many structures, including the many mosaics that reflect the Byzantine style of the artists.[5] Later Sicilian kings of the Norman dynasty went on to build large cathedrals, the Cathedral of Monreale included, in the same Byzantine style that had been largely influencing the region during that time.[5]
Characteristics
editThe Byzantine style also rejects more realistic forms found typical within classical Roman works, and instead porting subjects in a flattened form. During the peak era of Byzantine style, it was also characterized by elongated figures, angular shapes and faces, defined edges, flattened hues, and is embellished with gold accents.[3] This is evident in the Monreale Cathedral Mosiacs with the image of Christ the Pantokrater, where he has a sharp and more pointed face and the work is filled with gold accents and surrounding background. The surrounding mosaics of other religious figures are similarly styled with Byzantine characteristics including the elongated figures and gold accents.
Icons
editIcons, especially depicting Christ, the Virgin Mary, among other highly revered religious figures, were commonly favored in the Byzantine era. In the Byzantine style, holy figures were depicted in the front and stared directly at the viewer, which was believed to allow for communication and connection with the divine figure being depicted, giving the work a more intense devotional aspect.[3] This choice in icons is reflected in the choice of depicting Christ Pantokrater in the dome of the cathedral in Monreale.
Subjects
editThe Monreale Cathedral Mosaics depict a number of well-known and renowned religious figures and iconography. There are also depictions of stories from the Bible represented within the many mosaic decorations of the Monreale Cathedral, including the journey of Noah's Ark along with the labour of Adam and Eve.[1]
As shown in the first figure of the East apse, there is a prominent hand-figure of Christ Pantocrator, which exhibits a superior style when compared to other depicted figures.[1] Christ is the largest figure compared to the other smallers figures below and surrounding the East Apse. Below, the next focal point is an image of an enthroned Madonna and Child, whom are flanked by archangels and apostles.
There is also enthroned images of the apostles, Saint Peter and Saint Paul, that are displayed on the apse culottes, where scenes from their lives decorate the nearby walls.[1]
A comprehensive depiction of the life of Christ is shown across three levels upon the walls of the crossing as well as the Cathedral’s transepts.[1] This mosaic narrative extends into the nave, where there are forty two scenes taken from Genesis which are portrayed across two separate levels. Additionally, the side aisles feature mosaics that illustrate the miracles of Christ.
Inscriptions on each picture explain the subject or saint represented; these are in Latin, except some few which are in Greek. The subjects in the nave begin with scenes from the Book of Genesis, illustrating the Old Testament types of Christ and His scheme of redemption, with figures of those who prophesied and prepared for His coming.[1] Around the lower tier and the choir are subjects from the New Testament, chiefly representing Christ's miracles and suffering, with apostles, evangelists and other saints. The design, execution and choice of subjects all appear to be of Byzantine origin, the subjects being selected from the Menologion of Basil II drawn up by the emperor Basil II in the 10th century.
New Chemical and Mineralogical Data
editThere is a lack of knowlege in regards to the raw materials as well as the type of technology utilized during the production of mosaics created after the twelfth century. Due to this lapse in knowledge and available information, there was an archaeometric investigation executed, which worked to examine the materials that were used for the mosaic decoration of the South aisle wall of the Monreale Cathedral.[6]
During this investigation, they examined pieces of fallen colored and gilded glass tesserae by combining the molecular technique of Raman spectroscopy, as well as an elemental technique which utilized a portable X-ray Fluorescence.
Inner facade
edit
| Level | South side | Main door | North side |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medallions | |||
| Bifora level | Creation of Eve | Eve Presented to Adam | |
| Side-roof level | Lot and the Two Angels | Saint Cassius and Saint Castus | Destruction of Sodom |
| Bifora level | Martyrdom of Saint Cassius and Saint Castus | Madonna and Child | Miracles of Saint Castrense |
South side
edit
| Transept, Choir, Apse | Bifora | Nave | Pendentives | South wall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adam in the Earthly Paradise | Nave: «Old Testament cycle» |
Hospitality of Abraham | Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes | |
| Adam Introduced to the Earthly Paradise | The Three Angels Visit Abraham | Healing of Saint Peter's Mother-in-Law | ||
| God Rests from Creation | Building the Tower of Babel | Resurrection of Jairus' Daughter | ||
| Creation of the Animals and Man | Drunkenness of Noah | Healing of the Woman with an Issue of Blood | ||
| Creation of the Fishes and Birds | God Sends the Rainbow to Noah | Resurrection of the Widow's Son | ||
| Creation of the Stars | The Animals Leave the Ark | Saint Peter Saved from the Waves | ||
| Creation of the Dry Land | Noah's Flood | Healing of the Man with Arthiritis | ||
| Separation of the Seas and the Dry Land | The Animals Enter the Ark | Healing of the Leper | ||
| Creation of Light | Noah Builds the Ark | Healing of the Demon-Possessed Man | ||
| Creation of Heaven and Earth | ||||
| Medallion | Medallion | Triumphal Arch | Medallion | Figure |
| Full-length figure | Transept: «Life of Christ Cycle» |
Full-length figure | Full-length figure | |
| Visitation[8] / Flight into Egypt | Third Temptation of Christ | The Disciples and the Donkey | Christ Before Pilate | |
| Annunciation[8] | Second Temptation of Christ | Resurrection of Lazarus | Christ's Arrests | |
| Zechariah Leaves the Temple[8] | Transfiguration | |||
| Annunciation to Zechariah[8] / Joseph's Dream | First Temptation of Christ | Christ and the Samaritan Woman | Christ Washes the Disciples' Feet | |
| Full-length figure | Full-length figure | Full-length figure | ||
| Medallion | Medallion | Apse arch | Medallion | King William II Offers the Church to the Virgin Mary |
| Habbakuk | Obadiah, Joel | Choir side-walls | Saint Peter Meets Saint Paul | Fall of Simon Magus |
| Isaiah | Jeremiah, Amos | San Peter Resurrects Tabitha | Dispute with Simon Magus | |
| Tetramorph and Cherubin | Gabriel, Uriel | Apse | ||
| Christ Pantocrator | Disciples | Saints |
Saints
editNorth wall
edit
| Transept, Choir, Apse | Bifora | Nave | Pendentives | North wall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eve Tempted by the Serpent | Nave: «Old Testament cycle» |
God Orders Abraham to Sacrifice Isaac | Healing of the Infirm Woman | |
| Original Sin | Sacrifice of Isaac | Healing of the Man with Dropsy | ||
| God Reproves Adam and Eve | Rebecca Waters the Camels | Healing of the Ten Lepers | ||
| Expulsion from the Earthly Paradise | Rebecca's Journey | Healing of the Two Blind Men | ||
| Labours of Adam and Eve | Isaac and Esau | Christ Expels the Money-Changers from the Temple | ||
| Sacrifices of Cain and Abel | Isaac Blesses Jacob | The Woman Caught in Adultery | ||
| Cain Kills Abel | Jacob Flees | Healing of the Paralysed Man | ||
| God Curses Cain | Jacob's Dream | Healing of the Crippled and the Blind | ||
| Lamech Kills Cain | Jacob Wrestles with the Angel | Anointing at Bethany | ||
| Noah Commands the Construction of the Ark | ||||
| Medallion | Medallion | Triumphal arch | Medallion | Figure |
| Full-length figure | Transept: «Life of Christ cycle» |
Full-length figure | Full-length figure | |
| Journey of the Magi[10] / Wedding at Cana | Deposition | Christ with the Disciples on the Road to Emmaus | The Miraculous Haul of Fish | |
| Adoration of the Magi[10] | Burial of Christ | Supper at Emmaus | Ascension | |
| Herod Orders the Massacre of the Innocents[10] | The Two Disciples After Christ Disappeared at Emmaus | |||
| Massacre of the Innocents[10] / Baptism of Christ | Christ in Limbo | The Two Disciples Return to Jerusalem | Pentecost | |
| Full-length figure | Full-length figure | Full-length figure | ||
| Medallion | Medallion | Apsidal arch | Medallion | Christ Crowns King William II |
| Jacob | Malachi, Jonah | Side-walls of choir | Baptism of Saint Paul | Saint Paul Flees Damascus |
| Zechariah | Ezekiel, Moses | Saint Paul Disputes with the Jews | Saint Paul Entrusts Letters to Timothy and Silas | |
| Tetramorph and Seraphim | Archangels Raphael and Michael | Apse | ||
| Christ Pantocrator | Disciples | Saints |
Saints
editEast Apses
edit| Register | Left apse | Central apse | Right apse |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top | Christ Pantocrator Blessing | ||
| Middle | Saint Paul cycle and Beheading of Saint Paul | Saint John, Saint Philip, Saint Bartholomew, Saint Luke, Saint James, Saint Peter, Archangel Michael, Madonna of the Immaculate Conception and Child Enthroned, Archangel Gabriel, Saint Paul, Saint Andrew, Saint Mark, Saint Thomas, Saint Simon, Saint Matthew | Saint Peter cycle and Crucifixion of Saint Peter |
| Bottom | Saint Paul Enthroned | Saint Martin, Saint Agatha, Saint Anthony Abbot, Saint Biagius, Saint Stephen, Saint Peter of Alexandria, Saint Clement, Saint Sylvester, Saint Thomas of Canterbury, Saint Laurence, Saint Hilarion, Saint Benedict, Saint Mary Magdalene, Saint Nicholas of Myra | Saint Peter Enthroned |
Apsidal arch
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.JPG) |
| King William II Crowned by Christ | King William II Offering the Church to the Virgin Mary |
Old Testament
editCreation cycle
edit| Latin inscription | Translation | Image | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IN PRINCIPIO CREAVIT DEUS CÆLUM ET TERRAM[12] | In the beginning God created the Heaven and the Earth | |
| 2 | FECIT DOMINUS LUCEM, APPELLAVITQUE LUCEM DIEM ET TENEBRAS NOCTEM | He made the light, and he called the light day and the darkness night | |
| 3 | FECIT FIRMAMENTUM IN MEDIO AQUARUM ET DIVIDAT AQUAS AB AQUIS | He set the sky in the midst of the waters and divided the waters | |
| 4 | CONGREGENTUR AQUÆ QUÆ SUB CÆLO SUNT IN LOCUM UNUM ET APPAREAT ARIDA | Let the water under the sky be gathered in one place and let dry ground appear | |
| 5 | FIANT LUMINARIA IN FIRMAMENTO CÆLI | Let there be lights in the sky |  |
| 6 | PRODUCANT AQUA REPTILE ANIMÆ VIVENTIS ET VOLATILE SUPER TERRAM SUB FIRMAMENTO CÆLI | Let the water produce teem with living creatures and let birds fly over the land under the sky | |
| 7 | FACIAMUS HOMINEM AD IMAGINEM ET SIMILITUDINEM NOSTRAM ET INSPIRAUIT IN FACIEM EIUS SPIRACULU VITÆ | Let us make man in our own image and likeness; and he breathed into him the breath of life |  |
| 8 | REQUIEVIT DOMINUS DIE SEPTIMO AB OMNI OPERE QUOD PATRARAT | The Lord rested from all his work on the seventh day |  |
Earthly Paradise cycle
edit| Latin inscription | Translation | Image | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | COLLOCAVIT DEUS ADAM IN PARADISO[13] | God placed Adam in paradise |  |
| 2 | REQUIEVIT ADAM IN PARADISO | Adam rested in paradise | |
| 3 | IMMISIT DOMINUS SOPOREM IN ADAM ET TULIT EVAM DE COSTIA EIUS | The Lord sent a sleep on Adam and brought Eve from his side |  |
| 4 | ADDUCIT DOMINUS MULIEREM AD ADAM DIXITQUE ADAM HOC ENIM OS EX OSSIBUS MEIS ET CARO DE CARNE MEA | The Lord led the woman to Adam and Adam said "For this is bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh" |  |
| 5 | NEQUAQUAM MORIEMINI SI COMEDETIS ERITIS SICUT DII | You shall by no means die; if you eat it you shall become like God |  |
| 6 | MULIER SUGGESTIONI SERPENTIS TULIT DE FRUCTU ET COMEDIT DEDITQUE VIRO SUO | At the serpent's suggestion, the woman picked the fruit and ate it and gave it to her husband | |
| 7 | VOCAVIT DOMINUS DEUS ADAM ET DIXIT EI UBI ES ET QUIS INDICAVIT TIBI QUOD NUDUS ESSES | The Lord God called Adam and said "Where are you?"; "And who told you that your were naked?" |  |
| 8 | HIC EXPULIT ADAM ET EVA DE PARADISO DEUS ET POSUIT CHERUBIM CUSTODEM CUN FLAMMEO GLADIO | Here God expels Adam and Eve and places a cherubim on guard with a flaming sword | |
| 9 | ADAM CEPIT LABORARE TERREM | Adam begins working the land | |
| 10 | CAYM ET ABEL OFFERUNT DOMINO HOLOCAUSTA | Cain and Abel offer burned-offerings to the Lord |  |
| 11 | INTERFECTUS ABEL A FRATRE SUO CAYM | Abel Killed by his Brother Cain |  |
| 12 | DIXIT DEUS, CAYM, CAYM, SANGUIS FRATRIS TUI VOCAT ME DE TERRA | God said "Cain, Cain, your brother's blood calls to me from the earth" |  |
| 13 | TRAHENS LAMECH ARCU SUO INTERFICIT CAYM | Dragging his arch Lamech kills Cain |
Noah's Flood cycle
edit| Latin inscription | Translation | Image | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PRÆCIPT DOMINUS AD NOE DICENS FAC TIBI ARCAM DE LIGNIS LEVIGATIS[14] | The Lord commanded Noah, saying "Make for yourself an ark of cypress wood" | |
| 2 | NOE SECUNDUM MANDATUM ARCAM FECIT OPERARI | According to the command, Noah had an ark made |  |
| 3 | NOE PONI FECIT BESTIAS ET VOLUCRE IN ARCA | Noah had beasts and birds placed in the ark |  |
| 4 | NOE MISIT COLUMBAM ET REDUIT CUM RAMO OLIVA | Noah sent a dove and it returned with an olive branch | |
| 5 | CESSATO DILUVIO NOE EXTRABI FECIT BESTIA AB ARCA | Once the flood had ended he head the beasts leave the ark |  |
| 6 | DIXIT DOMINUS AD NOE, ARCUM MEUM PONAM IN NUBIBUS ET ERIT SIGNUM FŒDEVIS INTER ME ET TERRAM ET NON ERUNT AMPLIUS DILUVII AD DELENDA UNIVERSAM CARNEM |
The Lord spoke to Noah "I place my bow in the sky and it shall be a sign of the covenant between the earth and I and never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life | |
| 7 | HIC OSTENDIT CAM VERENDO PATRIS GEMINIS FRATIBUS | Here Ham tells his two brothers of their father's drunkenness | |
| 8 | FILII NOE EDIFICANTES TURRIM CONFUSA SUNT LINGUAM EORUM ET VOCATUM EST LOCUM ILLUD BABEL | Noah's sons building a tower; their tongues are confused; and that place is called Babel | .jpg) |
Abram cycle
edit| Latin inscription | Translation | Image | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ABRAHAM ANGELOS HOSPITIO SUSCEPIT ET CUM TRES VIDERET UNUM ADORAVIT[15] | Abraham welcomed the angels and adored them, seeing the three as one |  |
| 2 | ABRAHAM MINISTRAT ANGELIS | Abraham serves the angels |  |
| 3 | ANGELIS DIRIGUNT OCULOS CONTRA SODOMEN SODOMITÆ VALLAVERUNT DOMUM LOTH | Angels direct their eyes against Sodom; the Sodomites surround Lot's house | |
| 4 | SUMMERSIUM SODOMA FUGIT LOTH CUM UXORE ET FILIABUS SUIS | Destruction of Sodom; Lot flees with his wife and daughters | |
| 5 | PRÆCEPIT DEUS ABRAHÆ UT IMMOLARET FILIUM SUUM | God commands Abraham to sacrifice his son | |
| 6 | ABRAHAM, ABRAHAM, NE EXDENDAS MANUM TUAM SUPER PUERUM | Abraham, Abraham, do not reach out your hand against the boy |  |
| 7 | REBECCA DAT POTUM SERVO ABRAHÆ ET CAMELIS SUIS | Rebecca gives drink to Abraham's servant and his camels |  |
| 8 | REBECCA VADIT CUM SERVO ABRAHÆ | Rebecca goes with Abraham's servant | |
| 9 | DIXIT ISAAC AD FILIUM SUUM ESAU SUME ARMA TUA ET EGREDERE FORA CUMQUE VENATUM ALIQUOD APPREBENDES FACINDE PALMENTUM UT COMENDAM ET BENEDICAM TIBI ANTEQUAM MORIAM | Isaac said to his son "Esau, take your arms and your bow and with them go hunt for something. Prepare me food that I may give you my blessing before I die | |
| 10 | HIC BENEDIXIT ISAAC IACOB FILIUM SUUM | Here Isaac Blesses his son Jacob | |
| 11 | REBECCA DIXIT FILIO SUO JACOB FUGE AD LABAN FRATREM MEUM IN HARAM | Rebecca said to her son Jacob "Flee to Laban, my brother in Haram" | |
| 12 | VIDIT JACOB SCALAM SUMMITAS EIUS CÆLOS TANGEBAT - EREXIT JACOB LAPIDEM IN TITULUM FUNDENS OLEUM DESUPER - JACOB FUGIEBAT - JACOB INALAVIT CUM ANGELO ANGELUS BENEDIXIT ET DICENS NEQUAQUAM VOCABERIS JACOB, SED ISRAEL ERIT NOMEN TUUM | Jacob saw a ladder reaching up to heaven - Jacob set up the stone as a pillar, pouring oil upon it - Jacob was fleeing - Jacob wrestles with an angel; the angel blessed him, saying "You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel shall be your name" |
New Testament
editLife of Christ
editChrist's Miracles (south side)
edit| Latin inscription | Translation | Image | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MULIER MAGNA EST FIDES TUA, FIAT TIBI, SICUT PETIISTI ET SANATA EST FILIA EIUS EX ILLA HORA[16] | "Woman, great is your faith. Let it be done for you as you desire." Her daughter was healed from that very hour. | |
| 2 | SANCTUS CALOGERUS | Saint Calogerus | |
| 3 | OBTULERUNT AD IESUM HOMINEM MUTUM DÆMONIUM HABENTEM IESUS SANAVIT LEPROSUM DICENTEM ILLI. DOMINE SI VIS, POTES ME MUNDARE |
They brought to Jesus a mute man with a demon. Jesus cured the man with leprosy, who said to him "Lord, if you will it, you can heal me |  |
| 4 | ET EIECTO DÆMONE LOQUUTUS EST MUTUS | and - once the devil had been thrown out - the mute man could speak. | |
| 5 | IESUM HOMINEM MANUM ARIDAM HABENTEM SABATO IN SYNAGOGA CURAT | Jesus cures the man with the withered hand in the synagogue on the Sabbath |  |
| 6 | IESUM SUPER MARE AMBULAT ET PETRUM MERGENTEM ALLEVAT | Jesus walks on the sea and saves Peter from drowning | |
| 7 | IESUM FILIUM VIDUÆ RESUSCITAT EXTRA PORTAM CIVITATIS NAIM | Jesus resurrects the widow of Nain's son in front of the city gate |  |
| 8 | MULIER FLUXUS SANGUINIS HABENS SIMBRIAM VESTIMENTA IESU CRISTI TANGIT ET AB IPSA INFIRMITATE SANATUR | The woman with the issue of blood touches Christ's robe and is healed of her illness. | |
| 9 | IESUS FILIAM IAYRI PRINCIPIS SYNAGOGÆ DEMO RESUSCITAT | Jesus resurrects the daughter of Jairus, leader of the synagogue |  |
| 10 | IESUS LIBERAT SOCRUM SIMONIS A MAGNIS FEBRIBUS | Jesus frees Simon's mother-in-law from a great fever | |
| 11 | IESUS QUINQUE PANIBUS ET DUOBUS PISCIBUS QUINQUE MILLIA HOMINUM SATIAVIT ET DE FRAGMENTIS DUODECIM CONFINI IMPLENTUR |
Jesus feeds five thousand men with five loaves and two fish and the scraps fill twelve baskets |
Christ's Miracles (north side)
edit| Latin inscription | Translation | Image | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IESUS MULIERUM ANNIS DECEM ET OCTO CURVAM ERIGIT ET ARCHISYNAGOGUM INDIGNATEM INCREPAT[17] | Jesus heals the woman infirm for 18 years and clashes with the indignant leaders of the synagogue | |
| 2 | SANCTUS FIRMUS | Saint Firmus | |
| 3 | IESUS IN DOMO CUJUSDAM PRINCIPIS FARISEORUM SANAT HYDROPICUM DIE SABBATI | Jesus heals the man with dropsy in the house of the leader of the Pharisees on the Sabbath day | .jpg) |
| 4 | IESUS CUM INGREDERETUR QUODDAM CASTELLUM DECEM VIRI LEPROSI OCCURRERUNT EI QUOS UT VIDIT DIXIT OSTENDITE VOS SACERDOTIBUS ET DUM IRENT MUNDATI SUNT |
Entering a town, Jesus healed ten men with leprosy and told them "Show yourselves to the priests"; and as they went they were made clean |  |
| 5 | IESUS ILLUMINAT DUOS CÆCOS SECUS VIAM SEDENTES ET CLAMANTES DOMINI MISERERE NOSTRIS | Jesus gives sight to two blind men sitting by the road and shouting "Lord, have pity on us" |  |
| 6 | IESUS EJECIT DE TEMPLO OVES ET BOVES ET MENSAS NUMMULARIORUM EVERTIT | Jesus throws the sheep and cattle out of the temple and overturns the money-changers' tables | .jpg) |
| 7 | MISERUNT IN TEMPLUM HOMINEM PARALYTICUM IN LECTO ANTE PEDES IESU ET SANAVIT EUM | They sent the paralysed man in to the temple in his bed before Jesus' feet and he healed him | |
| 8 | IUDAEI TENTANTES ADDUCUNT AD IESUM MULIEREM IN ADULTERIO DEPREHENSAM | The Jews take the woman caught in adultery before Jesus to test him | |
| 9 | IESUS SANAT CÆCOS ET CLAUDIOS | Jesus heals the crippled and the blind | |
| 10 | MARIA MAGDALENA UNGIT PEDES IESUS LACRIMIS LAVAT ET CAPILLIS EXTERGIT | Mary Magdalene washes Jesus' feet with her tears and dries them with her hair | |
| 11 | DOMINI FILIUS MEUS JACET IN LECTO PARALYTICUS ET MALE TORQUETUR | Lord, my son lies paralysed in bed and in great pain |
Nativity (south side)
edit.jpg) |
| Christ Tempted |
| Latin inscription | Translation | Image | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ZACHARIAS STUPEFACTUS IN TEMPLO VERBIS ANGELI OBMUTUIT[11] | Zechariah is struck dumb for not believing the angel's words in the temple | |
| 2 | ZACHARIAS DE TEMPLO EGREDITUR, NON VALENS LOQUI EXPECTANTIBUS | Zechariah leaves the temple, unable to speak to those awaiting him | |
| 3 | ANNUNCIATIO SANCTÆ MARIÆ | Annunciation to the Virgin Mary | |
| 4 | AUDIVIT SALUTATIONEM MARIÆ, EXULTAVIT INFANS IN UTERO HELISABET | On hearing Mary's greeting, the child leaps in Elisabeth's womb | |
| 5 | SANCTUS IOSEPH | Saint Joseph | |
| 6 | NATIVITAS IESUS CHRISTI | Nativity of Jesus Christ | |
| 7 | PASTORES | Shepherds | |
| 8 | MAGI VIDENTES STELLAM IN ORIENTEM VENERUNT IN HIERUSALEM | Seeing a star in the east, the Magi come to Jerusalem | |
| 9 | MAGI MUNERA OFFERUNT DOMINO IESU CHRISTO | The Magi offer their gifts to the Lord Jesus Christ | |
| 10 | HERODE REX. ITE OCCIDITE OMNES PUERES A BIMATU ET INFRA | King Herod. "Go kill all the boys aged two and under." | |
| 11 | IUSSU HERODIS TRUCIDANT PUEROS, RACHEL PLORAT FILIOS SUOS | They slaughter the boys according to Herod's command; "Rachel weeps for her children" | |
| 12 | ANGELIS IN SOMNIS LOQUITUR IOSEPH, TOLLE PUERUM ET FUGE IN ÆGIPTUM | An angel spoke to Joseph in a dream, [saying] "Take the boy and flee to Egypt" | |
| 13 | PRESENTATIO CHRISTI IN TEMPLO | Presentation of Christ in the Temple | |
| 14 | STETIT IN MEDIO DOCTORUM | He stood amidst the doctors | |
| 15 | JESUS SEDENS AD NUPTIAS DE AQUA FECIT VINUM | Sitting at the wedding in Cana, Jesus turns water into wine | |
| 16 | BAPTISMUS CHRISTI | Baptism of Christ |
Passion (south side)
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.jpg) |
 |
| Madonna and Child | Christ Washing the Disciples' Feet | Arrest of Christ | Last Supper |
| Latin inscription | Translation | Images | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IESUS CHRISTUS DUCTUS AD CRUCIS PASSIONE[18] | Jesus Christ led to his cross and passion | |
| 2 | IESUS CHRISTI CRICIFIXIO | Jesus Christ crucified |  |
| 3 | DESCENSIO CORPORIS CHRISTI | Christ's body taken down [from the cross] |  |
| 4 | CORPUS CHRISTI PONITUR IN SEPULCHRO | Christ's body placed in the tomb |  |
| 5 | RESURRECTIO CHRISTI | Resurrection of Christ | |
| 6 | ITE ET DICITE DISCIPULIS EIUS ET PETRO QUIA SURREXTIT ET NON EST HIC | "Go and tell his disciples and Peter that he has risen and is not here | |
| 7 | NOLI ME TANGERE, NONDUM ENIM ASCENDI AD PATREM MEUM | "Do not touch me, for I have not yet ascended to my father" | .jpg) |
| 8 | QUI SUNT HI SERMONES, QUO CONFERTIS AD INVICEM AMBULANTES ET ESSIS TRISTES | "What are you sadly talking of as you walk along?" | |
| 9 | COGNOVERUNT EUM IN FRACTIONE PANIS | They knew him in the breaking of bread. | |
| 10 | NONNE COR NOSTRUM ARDENS ERAT IN NOBIS DE IESU | "Did not our hearts burn within us because of Jesus?" | |
| 11 | INGRESSI IN HIERUSALEM DUO DISCIPULI, INVENERUNT CONGREGATOS UNDECIM DICENTES, QUOD SURREXIT DOMINUS VERE ET APPARUIT SIMONI |
Entering Jerusalem, the two disciples went to the eleven gathered together, who said to them "The Lord has risen indeed and has appeared to Simon." | |
| 12 | JESUS DICIT THOMA, INFER DIGITUM TUUM HIC ET OFFER MANUM TUAM IN LATUS MEUM | Jesus said to Thomas, "Place your finger here and put your hand in my side" |  |
| 13 | PETRO MERGENTE IN MARE TRAHENTIBUS DISCIPULIS PLENUM RETE | Peter jumping into the sea, with the disciples dragging the full net | |
| 14 | ASCENSIO DOMINI | Ascension of the Lord | |
| 15 | PENTECOSTEN | Pentecost |  |
Saint Peter cycle
edit| Latin inscription | Translation | Image | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CRUCIFIXIO SANCTI PETRI[19] | Crucifixion of Saint Peter |  |
| 2 | SANCTA DOMINICA - SANCTA SCHOLASTICA - SANCTA SUSANNA SANCTA SABINA - SANCTA TECLA - SANCTA IUSTINA |
||
| 3 | DUM PETRUS INTRAT IN TEMPLUM CUM IOHANNE SANAT CLAUDUM IN PORTA SEDENTEM | As Peter enters the temple with John he heals a lame man sitting in the gateway | |
| 4 | HIC PETRUS ADULIDAM, SANAVIT PARALITICUM, DICENS ENEA SANET TE DOMINUS IESUS CHRISTUS | Here Peter heals a paralysed man, saying "Aeneas, may Jesus Christ heal you" | |
| 5 | HIC INOPEM SUSCITAVIT TABITAM, DICEM TABITA SURGE | Here he resurrected poor Tabitha, saying "Tabitha, arise" | |
| 6 | HIC PAULUS VENIT ROMAM ET PACEM FECIT CUM PETRO | Here Paul came to Rome and made peace with Peter | |
| 7 | HIC PETRUS ET PAULUS IN ROMA ANTE NERONEM DISPUTAVERUNT CUM SIMONE MAGO | Here Peter and Paul disputed with Simon Magus before Nero | |
| 8 | HIC PRÆCEPTO PETRI ET ORATIONE PAULI SIMON MAGUS CECIDIT IN TERRAM | Here by the command of Peter and the prayer of Paul Simon Magus fell to earth | |
| 9 | SE SCIENS LIBERATUM AB ANGELO PETRUS SECURÉ VADIT AD HOSPITIUM | Knowing himself freed by an angel, Peter safely goes to his host | |
| 10 | PRÆCEPIT ANGELUS PETRO, UT CITO SURGAT, ET VELOCITER DE CARCERE EXEAT | Then the Angel commanded Peter "Get up quickly and quickly leave the prison" | |
| 11 | EMANUEL - SANCTUS EUPHEMIUS - SANCTUS ZOZIMAS SANCTUS PAULUS PRIMUS HEREMITA - SANCTUS CYRUS - SANCTUS IOHANNES SANCTUS CESARIUS - SANCTUS HIPPOLYTU - SANCTUS HELEUTHERIUS SANCTUS COSMAS - SANCTUS DAMIANUS SANCTUS SISTUS - SANCTUS BONIFATIUS - SANCTUS SAVINUS - SANCTUS GERMANUS SANCTUS MARIUS - SANCTUS ALEXANDER MARTYR - SANCTUS CLAUDIANUS - SANCTUS SEVERINUS SANCTUS CIANUS - SANCTUS GUARUS - SANCTUS VANDUS |
||
| 12 | SANCTUS PETRUS PRINCEPS APOSTOLORUM, CUI TRADITÆ, SUNT CLAVES REGNI CÆLORUM | Saint Peter, Prince of the Apostles, to whom were handed the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven | .jpg) |
Saint Paul cycle
edit| Latin inscription | Translation | Image | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DECOLLATIO SANCTI PAULI[20] | Beheading of Saint Paul | |
| 2 | SANCTA RESTITUTA - SANCTA MARGARITA - SANCTA CATHERINA SANCTA RADEGUNDIS - SANCTA VENERA - SANCTA IUDICTA |
||
| 3 | AD MANUS AUTEM ILLUM TRAHENTES INTRODUXERUNT DAMASCUM | but carrying him by hand, they brought him to Damascus | |
| 4 | SALVE FRATER DOMINUS MISIT ME IESUS, QUI APPARUIT TIBI IN VIA QUA VENIEBAS, UT VIDEAS ET IMPLEARIS SPIRITO SANCTO | Hail, brother, Lord Jesus sent me, he who appeared to you on the road on which you were going, that you may see and be filled with the Holy Spirit | |
| 5 | HIC CONVERSUS PAULUS BAPTIZATUR AB ANANIA | Here the convereted Saint Paul is baptised by Ananias | |
| 6 | HIC DISPUTANDO PAULUS CONFUNDIT IUDÆOS | Here Paul confutes the Jewish in debate | |
| 7 | PAULUS PER FENESTRAM IN SPORTAM DIMISSUS PER MURUM, EFFUGIT MANUS DAMASCENORUM | Escaping through a window in the wall, Paul flees the hands of the Damascenes | |
| 8 | PAULUS TRADIT EPISTOLAS DISCIPULIS SUIS TIMOTHEO ET SYLEÆ DEFERENDAS PER UNIVERSUM ORBEM | Paul hands letters to his disciples Timothy and Silas to carry to the whole world | |
| 9 | ET CUM PAULUS ITER FACERET CONTIGIT, UT APPROPINQUARET DAMASCU ET SUBITO CIRCUMSULSIT EUM LUX DE CÆLO ET CADENS IN TERRAM AUDIVIT VOCEM DICENTEM SIBI, SAULE, SAULE, QUID ME PERSEQUERIS |
and with Paul made their way to Damascus; and suddenly he was surrounded by heavenly light and fell to the ground, hearing a voice saying to him "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" | |
| 10 | SAULUS ABIT AD PRINCIPEM SACERDOTUM ET PETIIT AB EO EPISTOLAS IN DAMASCUM ET AB SYNAGOGAS, UT SI QUOS, INVENISSET HUJUS VIÆ VIROS, AC MULIERES VINCTOS DUCERET IN HIERUSALEM |
Saul goes to the priest's house and seeks letters from him letters to Damascus and the synagogues, that he may in this way find and defeat the men and women and bring them to Jerusalem | |
| 11 | FOUR SERAPHIM - SANCTUS SABBA - SANCTUS ARSENIUS - SANCTUS PACHOMIUS SANCTUS PANTALEO - SANCTUS HERMOLAUS - SANCTUS EUPLIUS - SANCTUS PLACIDUS SANCTUS MAURUS - SANCTUS SERGIUS - SANCTUS BACCHUS SANCTUS IOHANNES OS AUREUM - SANCTUS GREGORIUS FERMO DEI - SANCTUS AMBROSIUS - SANCTUS AGUSTINUS SANCTUS CIPRIANUS - SANCTUS NAZARIUS - SANCTUS CORNELIUS - SANCTUS CELSIUS SANCTUS SENATOR - SANCTUS CASTODORUS - SANCTUS VIATOR |
||
| 12 | SANCTUS PAULUS PRÆDICATOR VERITATIS ET DOCTOR GENTIUM | Saint Paul, preacher of the truth and Doctor of the Gentiles |
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f "Mosaics in the Cathedral of Monreale (1180s)". www.wga.hu. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
- ^ Guida d'Italia. Touring Club Italiano.
- ^ a b c d e "Byzantine Art". www.nationalgalleries.org. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
- ^ a b "Byzantine art | Characteristics, History, & Facts | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2024-05-16.
- ^ a b carolinarh (2015-06-06). "Expansion of Byzantine Art through Sicily and Southern Italy: Norman-Arab-Byzantine Art". The Artistic Adventure of Mankind. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
- ^ Coccato, Alessia; Caggiani, Maria Cristina; Finocchiaro, Claudio; Fugazzotto, Maura; Lanzafame, Gabriele; Mazzoleni, Paolo; Nucatolo, Girolamo; Occhipinti, Roberta; Starinieri, Silvia; Stroscio, Antonio; Barone, Germana (2023-05-25). "New chemical and mineralogical data on mosaics from the South aisle wall of Monreale Cathedral (Italy)". The European Physical Journal Plus. 138 (5). doi:10.1140/epjp/s13360-023-04074-2. ISSN 2190-5444.
- ^ (in Italian) Michele del Giudice in Descrizione Del Real Tempio, E Monasterio Di Santa Maria Nuova, di Morreale.
- ^ a b c d Bottom register of south transept
- ^ Michele del Giudice, Descrizione..., page 12.
- ^ a b c d Bottom register of the north side
- ^ a b Michele del Giudice, Descrizione..., page 13.
- ^ Michele del Giudice, Descrizione..., pages 8-9.
- ^ Michele del Giudice, Descrizione..., page 9.
- ^ Michele del Giudice, Descrizione..., pages 9-10.
- ^ Michele del Giudice, Descrizione..., page 10.
- ^ Michele del Giudice, Descrizione..., pages 11-12.
- ^ Michele del Giudice, Descrizione..., pages 12-13.
- ^ Michele del Giudice, Descrizione..., page 15.
- ^ Michele del Giudice, Descrizione..., page 18.
- ^ Michele del Giudice, Descrizione..., page 17.
Bibliography
edit- Giovanni Luigi Lello (1596). Historia della Chiesa di Monreale ... (in Italian). Vol. 258 pages. Roma: Luigi Zannetti.
- Michele del Giudice (1702). Descrizione Del Real Tempio, E Monasterio Di Santa Maria Nuova, di Morreale ... (in Italian). Vol. 136 pages. Palermo: Regia Stamperia d'Agostino Epiro.