Mosaic pavements of Constantinople and Thessaloniki during Late Antiquity : A comparative study

The comparative study of the late antique mosaic pavements of Constantinople and Thessaloniki so far excavated has resulted in the following observations: 1) The material from the 4th and the first half of the 5th century excavated in Constantinople and Thessaloniki follows the evolution of the Koine, widespread across the Eastern Mediterranean. The presence of any common elements should rather be attributed to this fact and not to mutual influences between workshops. The mosaic pavements of Constantinople also share common characteristics with the Syrian ones. 2) As far as the 6th century is concerned, and in particular the reign of Justinian, the most important example of mosaic production in Constantinople is the pavement of the Great Palace; the material from Thessaloniki, bearing similarities with the mosaics of Macedonia and the Balkans in general, does not include any examples of comparable quality. The mosaic pavement of the Great Palace is part of, compositionally and iconographically, the evolutionary process of this particular form of artistic expression in the wider Eastern Mediterranean context; here, after the middle of the 5th century A.D., figurative compositions extending freely on a neutral white background became very popular. A masterpiece of this artistic trend, the mosaic of the Great Palace, is far superior in quality to any other contemporary examples. Many of the scenes and figures depicted are distinguished by their unique aesthetic value, as they are animated by the classical spirit, and seem to bear afresh traces of the achievements of Hellenistic art. It may also be argued that this work of art is reminiscent of the wall paintings of the early imperial period, which decorated the sumptuous villas and palaces in the urban centres of the West. It represents, finally, the zenith of pavimental mosaic art during Late Antiquity. Together with other forms of art during the period of Justinian's reign, it is a mirror of the sophisticated and luxurious settings that the upper class of the era -and the undoubtedly imperial owner of the Great Palace influenced by their classical education (paideia), chose to live in. (Résumé éditeur)