Cappella Arcivescovile 425

This is a section of Byzantine mosaics, made of tiny colored stones, in the Archbishop's Chapel, Ravenna, Italy. In the early Christian era, Ravenna became a major center of artistic production, blending Roman, Byzantine, and local traditions. Ravenna's mosaics often served as a form of visual theology, aimed at communicating religious ideas. It was a time when literacy was not widespread, and the Church used art to teach and inspire the faithful. The presence of mosaics in a religious space like the Archbishop's Chapel tells us about the culture of the early church, and the social context in which they were displayed: the ruling class. The mosaics depict a complex tapestry of birds and ornamental plants. Art historians use a variety of resources to understand the significance of these images, like theological texts. By examining the socio-political context, we can understand the role of art in expressing religious authority.