Apostles Bartholomew and Philip (Eucharist Cycle) 1113

This mosaic of Apostles Bartholomew and Philip was created as part of the Eucharist Cycle by Byzantine artisans in Kyiv’s Saint Sophia Cathedral. Imagine the labor that went into this. Each tiny piece of stone or glass, called a tessera, was carefully selected for its color and then meticulously placed to form the image. The countless tesserae create a shimmering surface, catching the light and giving the figures a sense of otherworldly presence. The choice of materials influences the appearance, with the inherent qualities of the stone and glass imbuing it with texture and a sense of weight. The techniques used here represent a pinnacle of Byzantine artistry, demanding both technical skill and deep understanding of color theory and visual perception. The amount of work involved in this production process, from quarrying the stone to setting each individual tessera, is immense, making this mosaic not just a work of art, but also a testament to human endeavor. It bridges fine art and craft, showing that materials, making, and context are key to understanding its full meaning.