Transfiguration 1230

This panel, entitled 'Transfiguration', was made by Orthodox Icons around the 6th century in Europe using the mosaic technique. Craftspeople assembled tiny pieces of colored glass, stone, and ceramic called tesserae to create a highly detailed image. The mosaic’s design showcases a complex interplay of light and color, achieved through the careful selection and arrangement of the individual tesserae. The reflective properties of the materials would have been particularly striking in candlelight, enhancing the spiritual quality of the image. The laborious creation of mosaics speaks to the intense devotion of the artisans, and the value placed upon the image by its patrons. Assembling the mosaic was a slow, meticulous process that demanded considerable skill and patience from its makers. This work exemplifies how materials, making, and social context intertwine to create something beautiful and full of meaning, showing that 'craft' is just as important as 'art'.