11-02-2006, 07:25 AM
Hi guys
spent a nice day in Rome yesterday. Was an Italian holiday. Went again to see big and very important church of Santa Maria Maggiore, very near the train station.
You must all know that above both rows of beautiful columns there are a whole series of mosaic panels dating from the 5th century (430s). I had just bought a miniature "telescope" for art tourists and wanted finally to see these mosaics. Indeed I have never found an art book, tourist guide or even expensive ones, that showed the panels. At best you find single shots. Here is a link to the only one I found on the web in the photo-gallery has one that shows soldiers
http://www.vatican.va/various/sm_maggio ... nterno.htm
As I was saying, armed with my telescope, I enjoyed looking at them and indeed many look, to me to be very interesting from point of view of how military are cloaked, dressed, armored, fight,.... Of course they are artistic representations but I believe you would be happy and intrigued to see them yourselves.
Jeff
p.s. Suggestion: try going to the church during a mass! Yes because only then the lights are on. There is no risk you annoy the people following mass because they are seated in the center of the church while the best vantage point to see the panels are from under the columns looking across to view the opposite panels.
p.p.s. it turns out my aunt claims to have a huge rare book on Santa Maria Maggiore. I will be seeing her next week. I am hoping it does show all the panels. If yes then I could plan to scan them
spent a nice day in Rome yesterday. Was an Italian holiday. Went again to see big and very important church of Santa Maria Maggiore, very near the train station.
You must all know that above both rows of beautiful columns there are a whole series of mosaic panels dating from the 5th century (430s). I had just bought a miniature "telescope" for art tourists and wanted finally to see these mosaics. Indeed I have never found an art book, tourist guide or even expensive ones, that showed the panels. At best you find single shots. Here is a link to the only one I found on the web in the photo-gallery has one that shows soldiers
http://www.vatican.va/various/sm_maggio ... nterno.htm
As I was saying, armed with my telescope, I enjoyed looking at them and indeed many look, to me to be very interesting from point of view of how military are cloaked, dressed, armored, fight,.... Of course they are artistic representations but I believe you would be happy and intrigued to see them yourselves.
Jeff
p.s. Suggestion: try going to the church during a mass! Yes because only then the lights are on. There is no risk you annoy the people following mass because they are seated in the center of the church while the best vantage point to see the panels are from under the columns looking across to view the opposite panels.
p.p.s. it turns out my aunt claims to have a huge rare book on Santa Maria Maggiore. I will be seeing her next week. I am hoping it does show all the panels. If yes then I could plan to scan them