Mosaics in Santa Pudenziana, Rome (380-400)

The decoration of the Early Christian churches was mostly with mosaics. The late 4th-century apse mosaic of Santa Pudenziana is the most hieratically explicit, and clearly didactic.

On the apse, Christ, depicted as teacher and lawgiver, although also enthroned in majesty as judge, is seated in front of a hill, representing Golgotha, with a jewelled cross rising from it. On either side of Christ are the Apostles, with St Paul on his right, the position of honour, and St Peter on his left. Behind them are two female figures, representing 'Ecclesia ex gentibus' and 'Ecclesia ex circumcisione'.

Preview Picture Data Info
Apse mosaic
380-400
Mosaic
Santa Pudenziana, Rome


Apse mosaic
380-400
Mosaic
Santa Pudenziana, Rome


Apse mosaic (detail)
380-400
Mosaic
Santa Pudenziana, Rome


Apse mosaic (detail)
380-400
Mosaic
Santa Pudenziana, Rome


Apse mosaic (detail)
380-400
Mosaic
Santa Pudenziana, Rome



Early Christian Mosaics
Early Christian Mosaics (all)
Mosaics in Rome
Santa Costanza | Santa Pudenziana | Santa Maria Maggiore
Santi Cosma e Damiano | Other churches
Mosaics in Ravenna
Galla Placidia | Orthodox and Arian Baptisteries | San Vitale
Sant'Apollinare in Classe | Sant'Apollinare Nuovo
Mosaics in other places



© Web Gallery of Art, created by Emil Krén and Daniel Marx.