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Nek Chand ROCK GARDEN - A mosaic fantasy waterfall - the black samurai
Nek Chand Garden Mosaic Sculpture fountain chdigarh, india - savagecorp
India’s Vast Trash Garden a Monument to Recycling
Pallava Bagla
in Chandigarh, Punjab, India
for National Geographic News
October 7, 2002
A glorious testament to the artistic and intrinsic value of trash stands in the middle of the northern Indian city of Chandigarh, the capital of Punjab and Haryana, India’s storied northwestern state on the border of Pakistan.
Rock Garden in Chandigarh on Flickr - briandubois
Called the “Rock Garden,” this sprawling amusement “kingdom” has been made completely from waste materials.
Nek Chand’s Junkwall detail on Flickr - diametrik
“Built of industrial waste and thrown-away items, the Rock Garden in the city of Chandigarh is perhaps the world’s most poignant and salient statement of the possibility of finding beauty in the unexpected and accidental.” Carl Lindquist - Nek Chand’s Rock Garden at Chandigarh, India
Nek Chand Rock Garden Outsider Art Wall of Electricity on Flickr - Uri Zer aviV
Created by celebrated artist Nek Chand, the garden highlights the value of materials many people consider trash.
Nek Chand Rock Garden Recycled materials - ska ska202
For Chand, the Rock Garden is an expression of his hope for humanity and an idea that came to him four decades ago. “It all started out of personal curiosity,” said Chand, emphasizing that while others looked at trash as a problem that needed to be “hidden away,” he saw it as something that could be creatively transformed into art.
Mosaic Artist Nek Chand - Recycling Genius, Outsider Art - rougetete
Nek Chand started building his trash garden in the 1950s with urban and industrial waste, using everything he could lay his hands on, including stones and boulders to represent humans and animals. Pallava Bagla - India’s Vast Trash Garden a Monument to Recycling
Who is Nek Chand?
Nek Chand, a humble transport official in the north Indian city of Chandigarh, began to clear a little patch of jungle to make himself a small garden area.
Nek Chand Rock Garden Pebble, Rock people Chandigarh, India - morleyroarly
He set stones around the little clearing and before long had sculpted a few figures
Nek Chand’s mosaic material stash ceramic tile broken crockery china- ToreaJade
recycled from materials he found at hand.
Nek Chand Rock Garden Mosaic Sculpture Bangle dudes - Carol Mitchell
Gradually Nek Chand’s creation developed and grew;
lil ppl rock garden ceramic tile mosaic art NeK Chand on Flickr - krazykrayons
before long it covered several acres
Figurenpark im Nek Chand Rock Garden von Chandigarh on Flickr - Uli Franke
and comprised of hundreds of sculptures
Bunte Figuren im Nek Chand Rock Garden von Chandigarh on Flickr - Uli Franke
Neck Chand monkey pebble art sculpture in rock garden on Flickr - baignid
set in a series of interlinking courtyards.
After his normal working day Chand worked at night, in total secrecy for fear of being discovered by the authorities.
Recycled Wall Art ceramic tile, motors, sockets, ceramic pots - Ajay in India Tallam
When they did discover Chand’s garden, local government officials were thrown into turmoil. The creation was completely illegal - a development in a forbidden area which by rights should be demolished.
Nek Chand Picassiette Ceramic Tile Mosaic Art Garden - Angad
The outcome, however, was the enlightened decision to give Nek Chand a salary so that he could concentrate full-time on his work, plus a workforce of fifty labourers.
Nek Chand Rock Garden A Fantasy Monument Chandigarh, India - raksh
Nek Chand’s great work received immediate recognition and was inaugurated as The Rock Garden of Chandigarh.
Nek Chand Mosaic ceramic tile picassiette steps on Flickr - travellingjohnny
Now over twenty five acres of several thousand sculptures set in large mosaic courtyards
linked by walled paths and deep gorges,
Nek Chand Rock Garden chandigarh india cathedral on Flickr - diametrik
Nek Chand’s creation also combines huge buildings
Figuren über Wasserfall im Rock Garden von Chandigarh on Flickr - Uli Franke
with a series of interlinking waterfalls.
Nek Chand’s Sculptural Army above waterfall on Flickr - Uri Zer aviV
The Nek Chand Rock mosaic art people fountain sculpture - Matthew Winterburn
The Rock Garden is now acknowledged as one of the modern wonders of the world. Over 5000 visitors each day, some 12 million people so far, walk around this vast creation - the greatest artistic achievement seen in India since the Taj Mahal. Nek Chand Foundation
Where is Chandigarh?
Lower Shivalik Mountains on Sukhna Lake on Flickr - Pradeep
Chandigarh is located near the foothills of the Shivalik range of the Himalayas in Northwest India.
Le Courbusior Sculpture Open Hand official emblem of city of Chandigarh - Koshyk
Chandigarh, also called City Beautiful, is a city in India that serves as the capital of two states, Punjab and Haryana, and is a union territory of India.
Le Corbusier Chandigarh, India on Flickr - duncid
Known internationally for its architecture and urban planning,
Fine Art Museum-Punjab University, Chandigarh on Flickr - Shubh M Singh
Chandigarh is home to numerous architectural projects of Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Matthew Nowicki, and Albert Mayer.
Punjab and Haryana High Court, Chandigarh, India on Flickr - Shubh M Singh
The city boasts a high standard of living with the highest per capita income in the country. Chandigarh - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tags: art, mosaic, mosaic art, recycled art, outsider art, nek chand, rock garden, garden art, chandigarh, india, waterfall, sculpture, trash art, rocks, pebbles, ceramic tile, picassiete, pique assiette, modern art, architecture, le corbusier
Nek Chand worked under cover of darkness for eighteen years, stealing away at the end of his working day as a roads inspector to his secret place - a clearing in the jungle.
nekk chand mosaic sculpture bright glass bangles on Flickr - mashu mashu
Bangle people Outsider art picassiette mosaic sculpture- Carol Mitchell
It was there that he created the legions of sculpted men and women, imaginary creatures, bears and monkeys, that would compose his magnificent ‘Rock Garden’.
Nek Chand Rock Garden on Flickr - Carol Mitchell
Nek Chand, a humble man, turned his dream into reality through solitary determination.
Nek Chand Rock Garden picassiette mosaic sculpture - travellingjohnny
He scavenged discarded urban debris and transported hand-picked stones from nearby hills on his bicycle, in order to construct the characters that inhabit his realised dream of a kingdom of gods and goddesses.
Nek Chand Rock Garden Outsider art picassiette mosaic sculpture - kashi293
He carried water in bamboo containers so that his garden would be lush with plants. And he stood up to the city’s bureaucracy when it learned of his clandestine plan that violated local construction regulations and Le Corbusier’s master-plan for India’s new city of Chandigarh.
Nek Chand Recycled Art Bangle Mosaic Bird Rock Garden India - Carol Mitchell
Nek Chand bangle bird jewelry mosaic sculpture india on Flickr - Carol Mitchell
Recycled Bangles Mosaic Art Bird Sculpture Nek Chand India - Ant Smith
While city officials were not always enthusiastic about Chand’s undertaking, today they celebrate it.
Mosaic Art Sculpture, Recycled Bangle Jewelry Art Rock Garden on Flickr - Dey
bangle dudes mosaic art sculpture nek chand rock garden - fiercetigress
It was in 1976, when Nek Chand was 52 years old, after long years of quiet work and struggle, that the Garden was formally opened to the public. Tony Rajer - Nek Chand Foundation
Tags: art, recycled art, outsider art, sculpture, jewelry, bangles, mosaic, garden art, mosaic art, rock garden, nek chand, india, chandigarh
Nek Chand india outsider art mosaic sculpture - Andy Aye
With his keen eye and sensitive mind, Nek Chand painstakingly for over two decades collected stones of exquisite form and sizes for reasons nobody knew.
Nek Chand Rock Garden Outsider art picassiette mosaic sculpture - Chris_Walker
Nek Chand Rock Garden Outsider art picassiette mosaic people - Koshyk
Nek Chand Rock mosaic garden art, Chandigarh, India on Flickr - danidavis5
ROCK GARDEN - FANTASY MOSAICS - tHe bLaCk sAmUrAi
He also collected strange looking metal pieces, lag-stones, over-burnt bricks, broken pots, china-ware, tree trunks, weeds, rags, plastic dolls, battered hats, broken coloured bangles, used shoes, fused bulbs, worn out tires, bottles, parts of rusted bicycles, discarded building materials, birds’ nests - you name it!
Nek Chand Rock Garden Outsider art picassiette sculpture- travellingdenise
Nek Chand Garden Art Mosaic Sculpture - mirthwood
Chandigarh Nek Chand picassiette mosaic sculpture - Daveybot
Nek Chand Rock Garden smoking hookhas mosaic art sculpture - Carol Mitchell
Chandigarh, India picassiette mosaic sculpture - morleyroarly
Nek Chand’s imagination had no bounds and all kinds of objects he came across became handy for its fulfilment. His dreams are unending and so are his creations - he goes on and on! M.N. Sharma - Nek Chand Foundation
Nek Chand Rock Garden mosaic art sculpture Chandigarh, India - fiercetigress
Nek Chand Rock Garden Outsider art mosaic sculpture - pedroquintelaborges
Cups and saucers Mosaic People and animals pique assiette - Two little Shutterbugs
Nek Chand Rock Garden mosaic art sculpture Chandigarh, India- Carol Mitchell
Nek Chand Rock Garden Outsider art mosaic wall- travellingjohnny
Chandigarh India - Nek Chand’s rock garden art sculpture on Flickr - jratcliff
Nek Chand Rock Garden mosaic art sculpture Chandigarh, India - Uli Franke
Rock Garden mosaic art sculpture Chandigarh, India- sahiljatana
Nek Chand Rock Garden mosaic art sculpture Chandigarh, India - P Donovan
THE RIDING MASTER on Flickr - tHe bLaCk sAmUrAi
Nek Chand Rock Garden mosaic art sculpture Chandigarh, India - pauldornau
Nek Chand Rock Garden mosaic art sculpture Chandigarh, India - blaighnid
Nek Chand Rock Garden mosaic art sculpture Chandigarh, India - tHe bLaCk sAmUrAi
Nek Chand Fantasy Rock Mosaic Art Garden sculpture on Flickr - Huan1
Nek Chand Rock Garden sculpture Chandigarh, India - wanderer’s rest
Chandigarh- Nek Chand’s rock garden art mosaic people on Flickr - jratcliffe
Nek Chand mosaic town art sculpture Chandigarh, India - Two little Shutterbugs
Ceramic tile art people sculpture Nek Chand india on Flickr - diametrik
Chandigarh India mosaic art sculpture - jratcliffe
mosaic art sculpture Chandigarh, India - sahiljatana
picassiette mosaic art sculpture - Carol Mitchell
Mosaic people picassiette art sculpture - Two little Shutterbugs
Mosaic Art Source mosaic definition:
pique assiette
pique assiette - or picassiette ( a french term -”stolen from plate”) - pieces of broken pottery, china, glass, buttons, figurines, and/ jewelry are cemented onto a base to create a new surface. Almost any form can be used as a base, and any combination of pieces can be applied, restricted only by the individual creator’s imagination. m.a.s. mosaic glossary
Mosaic Art Source picassiette mosaic photo & resource archive
Nek Chand has stirred the imagination of rich and poor and persons of all races and nations, regardless of their beliefs. It is a mixture of folk-art and provocative plastic forms of all shapes and sizes, blended in a natural and most imaginative environment created by the Master of Arts.
Going through the narrow passages one can experience sudden surprises of beautifully landscaped open spaces articulated by sculptures reminding you of Henry Moore. Nek Chand’s architectural and engineering innovations have the touch of Antonio Gaudi.
Nek Chand rock garden picassiette mosaic birds sculpture - india - blaighnid
Of course, Nek Chand is unaware of such big names or their works!
Nek Chand Garden mosaic birds pebble rock sculpture wall on Flickr - Uri Zer aviV
Nek Chand picassiette mosaic goose garden sculpture - fiercetigress
Nek Chand picassiette & pebble mosaic garden sculpture - mirthwood
The only dream Nek Chand was not aware of was that one day he would rank among the great masters and would receive unmatched recognition and the most prestigious awards.
Nek Chand - Rock Garden Art walls stones pebble mosaic on Flickr - rougetete
Nek Chand picassiette mosaic peacock garden sculpture- fiercetigress
NNek Chand picassiette mosaic garden sculpture - rougetete
Nek Chand is far greater than his creations.
Nek Chand picassiette mosaic horse garden sculpture - fiercetigress
Dog mosaic sculpture, Picassiette Rock Garden Chandigarh, India - Dey
Nek Chand Rock Garden Art sculpture pebbles on Flickr - Carol Mitchell
He does not speak much, but his creations speak volumes for him. M.N. Sharma - Nek Chand Foundation
Nek Chand pebble mosaic bear garden sculpture - fiercetigress
Nek Chand pebble mosaic animal garden sculpture - fiercetigress
Nek Chand outsider art mosaic and elephant garden sculpture - pashasha
Nek Chand india outsider art mosaic garden sculpture - Ant Smith
Animaldom at Rock Garden on Flickr - Two little Shutterbugs
More mosaic animals on Flickr - Two little Shutterbugs
Nek Chand india outsider art mosaic animal sculpture - fiercetigress
Nek Chand india outsider art mosaic dog sculpture - pedroquintelaborges
Ceramic tigers on Flickr - Two little Shutterbugs
Wooden monkeys mosaic outsider art on Flickr - Indian Curry
Monkey see, monkey do on Flickr - Two little Shutterbugs
Tags: art, outsider art, recycle, nek chand, rock garden, mosaic, garden art, stones, pebbles, mosaic, animals, birds, creatures, ceramic tile, china, india, chandigarh
Little Chapel, Architecture & Garden art on Flickr - the-electronic-firefly
The Little Chapel in Guernsey is just five metres by three metres and “possibly the smallest chapel in the world”.
picassiette steps to archway to little chapel on Flickr - zenitpetersburg
In 1913 Brother Deodat, a religious refugee from France, saw the location and received a vision of recreating the Lourdes grotto and chapel on the hill.
picassiette archway to little chapel on Flickr - zenitpetersburg
Little Chapel broken china, plates, crockery on Flickr - photo_blog_farley
picassiette mosaic walls of little chapel on Flickr -zenitpeterburg
walls broken china pebbles of little chapel on Flickr - zenitpeterburg
picassiette mosaic walls of little chapel on Flickr - zenitpetersburg
Mosaic Art walls chapel at Guernsey 104 on Flickr - Annemoni
broken china in walls of little chapel on Flickr - zenitpetersburg
Little Chapel pique assiette exterior on Flickr - Van Tassel
He actually built it three times, demolishing it twice, the first time as a result of unspecified criticism,
Little Chapel picassiette architecture - Guernsey on Flickr - modogoo
the second because the Bishop of Portsmouth hadn’t been able to get through the doorway.
Little Minature Chapel mosaic architecture on Flickr - Artoo UK
In 1939, he built this version, the smallest of the three attempts.
The chapel is decorated inside and out with seashells and pieces of china:
little chapel picassiette walls on Flickr - xxxrmt
by the time he had come to the third attempt, his project had become famous and islanders brought him tiles and coloured china from all over the world.
Little Chapel pique assiette mosaic interior on Flickr - dmcneil
The Little Chapel picassiette mosaic ceiling on Flickr - Artoo UK
Little Chapel pique assiette interior stained glass shells tile Flickr - dmcneil
infront of little chapel picassiette on Flickr - zenitpetersburg
From a distance the colours and design make a pleasing whole, close-up it’s amazing to see all the different pieces used to create the effect.
Where is Guernsey?
The Bailiwick of Guernsey (French: Bailliage de Guernesey) is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy.As well as the island of Guernsey itself, it also includes Alderney, Sark, Herm, Jethou, Brecqhou, Burhou, Lihou and other islets. Although the defence of all these islands is the responsibility of the United Kingdom, Guernsey is not part of the UK but rather a separate possession of the Crown, comparable to the Isle of Man. Guernsey is also not a member of the European Union. The island of Guernsey is divided into 10 parishes. Together with the Bailiwick of Jersey, it is included in the collective grouping known as the Channel Islands. Guernsey belongs to the Common Travel Area. Guernsey - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mosaic Art Source mosaic definition:
pique assiette
pique assiette - or picassiette ( a french term -”stolen from plate”) - pieces of broken pottery, china, glass, buttons, figurines, and/ jewelry are cemented onto a base to create a new surface. Almost any form can be used as a base, and any combination of pieces can be applied, restricted only by the individual creator’s imagination. m.a.s. mosaic glossary
Mosaic Art Source picassiette mosaic photo & resource archive
Tags: art, mosaic, mosaic art, garden art, pique assiette, picassiette, chapel, little chapel, guernsey, smallest chapel, mixed media, architecture, shells, pebbles, broken china, china,
Natural Seashell Mosaic on Flickr - vgenburgos
Mosaic wall of shells honduras on Flickr - hjselde
mosaic and shell fort bragg, california coast on Flickr - swirly
queetsy mosaic art opus sectile shell stone mosaic artist on Flickr - brooks_tower
intarsio panel palazzo massimo rome Nymph. mother of pearl inlayon Flickr - jmss
panel of Junius Bassus. Closeup of Hylas.mother of pearl inlay on Flickr - jmss
body by phil mosaic art opus sectile on Flickr - brooks_tower
mosaic niche with inlaid shells palazzo massimo rome on Flickr - jmss
neptune and amphitrite, originally uploaded by heavenuphere.
Shell Mosaic Getty Villa Malibu on Flickr - sfPhotocraft
Qasr Libya fish, sea urchin, sea monster, conch mosaics on Flickr - h_savill
flagler college, st. augustine scallop shell mosaic wall on Flickr - QwirkSilver
Mosaic Art - Tacoma, WA on Flickr - AlessandraHayden
Mosaic Sea Shell Tacoma, Washington on Flickr - AlessandraHayden
Shell Mosaic Getty Villa Malibu on Flickr - sfPhotocraft
Qasr Libya fish, sea urchin, sea monster, conch mosaics on Flickr - h_savill
flagler college, st. augustine scallop shell mosaic wall on Flickr - QwirkSilver
Mosaic Art - Tacoma, WA on Flickr - AlessandraHayden
Mosaic Sea Shell Tacoma, Washington on Flickr - AlessandraHayden
Mosaic Sea Shell on Flickr - AlessandraHayden
Installation Art - Maine Muscle mosaic on Flickr - abrazier
Shell Mosaic Grotto in the Residenz Munich, Germany on Flickr - earthmagnified
‘Ram in a Thicket’ mosaic covered london museum on Flickr - davideferro
From Ur, southern Iraq, about 2600-2400 BC. This is one of an almost identical pair discovered by Leonard Woolley in the ‘Great Death Pit’, one of the graves in the Royal Cemetery at Ur. The other is now in the University of Pennsylvania Museum in Philadelphia. It was named the ‘Ram in a Thicket’ by the excavator Leonard Woolley, who liked biblical allusions. In Genesis 22:13, God ordered Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, but at the last moment ‘Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son’.
mosaic covered Ram Ur, S. Iraq, on Flickr - davideferro
The ‘ram’ is more accurately described as a goat, and he reaches up for the tastiest branches in a pose often adopted by goats. Goats and sheep in the Near East were among the earliest animals to be domesticated. They were an everyday feature of agricultural life and are regularly depicted by artists in many different ways. The figure had been crushed flat by the weight of the soil and the wooden core had perished. Wax was used to keep the pieces together as it was lifted from the ground, and it was then pressed back into shape. The ram’s head and legs are covered in gold leaf, its ears are copper (now green), its twisted horns and the fleece on its shoulders are of lapis lazuli, and its body fleece is made of shell. Its genitals are gold. The tree is covered in gold leaf, with golden flowers, the whole supported on a small rectangular base decorated with a mosaic of shell, red limestone and lapis lazuli. British museum, London.
Mosaic Commemorative Panel, Shell Grotto, Margate on Flickr - AllieW
The Shell Grotto in Margate is an amazing little place. According to their literature, there are 4.6 million shells there and 20000 square feet of mosaic. The leaflet elaborates further:
“In 1835, Mr James Newlove lowered his young son Joshua into a hole in the ground that had appeared during the digging of a duckpond. Joshua emerged describing tunnels covered with shells. He had discovered The Shell Grotto, a series of passages leading to a rectangular chamber, its walls decorated with strange symbols mosaiced in millions of shells. Is it an ancient pagan temple? A meeting place for some secret cult? Nobody can explain who built this amazing place, or why, but since its accidental discovery visitors from all over the world have been intrigued by the beautiful mosaic and the unsolved mystery”.
Florida Fragments on Flickr - Merrick Brown
Nymph/Venus on half shell Roman mosaic ruins on Flickr - littlemousling
Detail of Women’s Quarters Roof Mosaic on Flickr - glittergirrrl
Sea shell cottage mosaic train on Flickr - all biscuit
Mosaic from the House of the Faun, Pompeii on Flickr - Mirjam75
Shell Mosaic Duck Sculpture Cincinnati on Flickr - J. Star
Shell Eye mosaic birds on Flickr - J. Star
Mosaic birds on Flickr - J.Star
Swan Mosaic in the Grotto at Leeds 895 on Flickr - gardenchien
xofa mosaic, volta, ghana in rasta village on Flickr - raysto
Ivan visits? Jim hurrican shell mosaic on Flickr - GilaMosaics
Hurricane Ivan hit the Florida Gulf Coast in 2004. 2 weeks later, as I mused on this face, Jim called!!! His home had been in the storm’s path, so we were thrilled & relieved to hear from him! I immediatly grabbed my collection of shells & coral from his beach & well…you see what happened!
Watts Towers - mosaic with cockle-shells Los Angeles on Flickr - vmselde
Shell Whimsy Mosaic Art on Flickr - littlehuntermosaics
Sea urchin shells smalti & millefiori detail on Flickr - littleteapot
Love is all u really need Mosaic Florida on Flickr - newwavegurly
Off to Mesa, Arizona for the SAMA mosaic convention, check out the Mosaic Arts International Gallery Guide for highlights & the SAMA Conference Blog. Will be back March 27th with tons of new mosaic info, photos & inspiration to share. 
orsoni prize 2007 - orsoni international award for mosaic fine art
Orsoni Smalti Veneziani has been producing Venetian smalti and 24 k gold mosaic since 1888. We have created the Orsoni prize to honor contemporary mosaic fine art. Maestro Lucio Orsoni, great grandson of Orsoni founder and current Honorary President of Angelo Orsoni and Pino Bisazza, the founder and President of Trend Group and premier art collector, will judge the competition.
Orsoni smalti panel displayed at the 1889 World Fair in Paris
Maestro Orsoni and Dottore Bisazza will award the Prize to the individual who best exemplifies the use of Orsoni product in a mosaic representing excellent technique and unique artistic vision.
Artists may apply in two categories, 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional through Juried Art Services. The application deadline is June 15, 2007. The winner will be announced, September 21, 2007.
Grand Prize
Euro 1,000
Orsoni garden entrance - Venice, ItalyA round trip (economy) ticket to Venice, Italy
Lucio Orsoni teaching master in mosaicAttend the Orsoni Master in Mosaic (one week class)
between Oct 2007-October 2008.
6 nights at Domus Orsoni
3 month exhibition of the award winning mosaic at the mosaic gallery of Angelo Orsoni in Venice, Italy
Artist reception while they are in Venice attending the class
Commemorative glass and 24 k gold bowl hand crafted by Maestro Stefano Giambino
The Orsoni Grand Prize will be awarded to the individual who best exemplifies the use of Orsoni product in a mosaic representing excellent technique and unique artistic vision. Get your creative juices flowing now! Application deadline is June 15, 2007.
For further details please contact Jo Ann Loctov or check out Orsoni.com and the DomusOrsoni.com
Mosaic Art Source Article - Orsoni Award
Mosaic Art Source - Mosaic Art Focus February Newsletter
Galla Placidia Mausoleum on Flickr - by James Macdonald
The Mausoleum of Galla Placidia is a highly important Byzantine mausoleum in Ravenna, Italy. It is one of the eight structures in Ravenna that were inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1996. As the UNESCO experts reasoned, “it is the earliest and best preserved of all mosaic monuments, and at the same time one of the most artistically perfect”.
mausoleum of Galla Placidia on Flickr - by saintpeg
Mausoleu de Gal·la Placídia, Ravenna on Flickr - by Sebastia Giralt
Built in 425-430 AD, the structure is designed in the shape of a Greek cross, and has a cupola that is entirely in mosaics, representing eight apostles and symbolical figures of doves drinking from a vessel. The other four apostles are represented on the vaults of the transverse arm; over the door is a representation of Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd, young, beardless, with flowing hair, and surrounded by sheep; opposite, there is a subject that is interpreted as representing Saint Lawrence. Thin, translucent panels of stone admit light into the structure through the windows.
Galla Placidia Mausoleum, Ravenna on Flickr - by breic
galla placidia interior on Flickr - by designucdavis
The building contains three sarcophagi; the largest is said to have been that of Galla Placidia, and that her embalmed body was deposited there in a sitting position, clothed with the imperial mantle; in 1577, however, the contents of the sarcophagus were accidentally burned. The sarcophagus to the right is attributed to Emperor Valentinian III or to Galla Placidia’s brother, Emperor Honorius. The one on the left is attributed to Galla Placidia’s husband, Emperor Constantius III. In fact this building was the oratory of a wider church: the Holy Cross.
Mausoleum of Galla Placidia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Colours on Flickr - by James Macdonald
Mosaic Inside on Flickr - by pietroizzo
The inside is relatively small and extremely simple. The mausoleum was intended from the very start to be covered with mosaics, and these are the oldest in Ravenna. The eye is seduced by the brilliance of the colours, which mask the architecture and create an illusionistic effect.
Mausoleum of Galla Placidia - Ravenna, Italy - Great Buildings Online
Mausoleum of Galla Placidia on Flickr - by Rosy Hunt
Mosaics Stars Mausoleo di Galla Placidia Ravenna on Flickr - by blu_blue
Mausoleo di Galla Placidia on Flickr - by Arrigo Ceramista
Mosaic detail on Flickr - by vanalledag
Dettagli sottarco Mausoleo Galla Placidia on Flickr - by Arrigo Ceramista
Mosaic tiles on Flickr - by James Macdonald
Mosaic Art Source mosaic definition:
smalti
smalto (pl. smalti) - smalti is characterized by its dazzling range of brilliant opaque colors. Smalti is prepared by adding crystalline material (corpo) and coloured material (anima) to the colourless or coloured fused glass. Smalti is literally available in thousands of colors, is a very stable glass, easy to cut and very durable. m.a.s. mosaic glossary
Mosaic Art Source mosaic definition:
gold leaf tesserae (mosaic gold)
gold leaf tesserae (mosaic gold) - 24k gold-leaf tesserae are made up of a glass support layer (usually transparent, at times opaque red or coloured) less than one centimetre thick. The 24k gold metal leaf is then sandwiched between the support and a thin protective glass layer (the cartellina). In tesserae the colour shade is determined by the purity of the metal, the thickness of the leaf, the colour, if any, of the cartellina and of the support. m.a.s.mosaic glossary
Nature & Geometry, originally uploaded by pietroizzo.