The Monreale Cathedral Mosaics are the main internal feature of Monreale Cathedral in the city of Palermo, Sicily, Italy; the mosaics cover 6,500 m2 Michele del Giudice in Descrizione Del Real Tempio, E Monasterio Di Santa Maria Nuova, di Morreale.. The mosaics are made up of glass tesserae in the Byzantine style at the orders of King William II.
The main attraction of Monreale Cathedral is its 130 mosaics, which cover almost all the interior walls of the cathedral. In terms of area and conceptual integrity, the Monreale mosaics are one of the largest mosaic cycles in the world. Most of the mosaics were completed in a record short period between 1183 and 1189.
The cathedral was then erected in a royal park on the site of an earlier Greek church. However, work on the structure as well as its decoration was, for the most part, completed following the death of the king in 1189. The cathedral was then later consecrated to the Assumption of the Virgin.
Style
The names of the mosaic artists are unknown, and their national origin is disputed. The artists could have been masters invited from Constantinople, or local masters influenced by Byzantine art.
The "Constantinopolitan" version is supported by the typically Greek attire of Christ, the Mother of God, and the archangels, and Greek inscriptions on a number of mosaics in the apse. The "local" version is supported by the rather primitive execution of the mosaics in the main nave and side chapels, which in some cases deviates from the traditional canons of Byzantine art, and inscriptions in Vulgar Latin on most of the mosaics.
Chronologically, these mosaics belong to the Komnenian period of Byzantine art. Nevertheless, the main characteristic features of the pictorial language of these mosaics are: flatness, lack of volume in figures, a fragmented network of draperies, with small and frequent lines. There is no heightened expression or dynamism in the figures; the image is softer and more decorative (compared to previous Sicilian mosaic cycles). The figures become bulky, heavy, the expressiveness of gestures is lost, and the folds of clothing become immobile. Faces become volumetric—the heightened spirituality of Byzantine countenances disappears. A Romanesque beginning is clearly felt in the images, which also manifested itself in the cathedral's architecture: a stern tranquility emanates from the somewhat crude images.https://azbyka.ru/art/grehopadenie-praroditelej/
Based on stylistic differences, a number of researchers suggest that the Monreale cycle may have been created in two stages:https://bibliotekar.ru/Iskuss1/51.htm
1183—1189: Apse mosaics First half of the 13th century (Hohenstaufen era): Nave mosaics depicting biblical scenes.Норвич, Дж. Расцвет и закат Сицилийского королевства. Нормандцы в Сицилии: 1130—1194. с. 311—315
Most researchers, however, support the traditional version that the mosaics were created between 1183 and 1189.
The mosaic cycle in the nave bears the imprint of new trends that emerged in 13th-century art: the canonical spirit began to give way to a freer interpretation of biblical events, and the features of the artist's creative personality were already somewhat evident in the depiction. For the first time in Southern Italian art, the interpretation of scripture takes on a narrative character. The nave mosaics of Monreale became one of the first links in the process of restructuring medieval consciousness, which began in the 13th century throughout Italy and ultimately led to the Proto-Renaissance and Renaissance. As Otto Demus notes, the narrative cycle of Monreale is characteristic of the period of disintegration of the classical Byzantine scheme of church decoration: this monument is cited by the researcher as an example of mosaicists using a new technique—a common landscape is used as a means of transforming adjacent scenes into a unified cycle.https://web.archive.org/web/20111122182257/http://krotov.info/history/08/demus/demus02.html
Some mosaics on the upper tier were damaged in a fire in the early 19th century and were "restored" — either remade or replaced. In some cases, there was confusion (one of the medallions in the nave arch was misplaced) or deliberate iconographic substitution (in particular, Saint Restituta was replaced with Saint Agatha).
New chemical and mineralogical data There is a lack of knowledge in regards to the raw materials as well as the type of technology utilized during the production of mosaics created after the twelfth century. Due to this lapse in knowledge and available information, an archaeometric investigation was executed, which worked to examine the materials that were used for the mosaic decoration of the South aisle wall of the Monreale Cathedral.
During this investigation, they examined pieces of fallen colored and gilded glass tesserae by combining the molecular technique of Raman spectroscopy, as well as an elemental technique which utilized a portable X-ray Fluorescence.
Description
The mosaics are made of glass tesserae and were executed in Byzantine style between the late 12th and the mid-13th centuries by local masters. With the exception of a high dado, made of marble slabs with bands of mosaic between them, the whole interior surface of the walls, including soffits and jambs of all the arches, is covered with minute mosaic-pictures in bright colors on a gold ground. The mosaic pictures, depicting stories from both the Old and New Testament, are arranged in tiers, divided by horizontal and vertical bands. In parts of the choir there are five of these tiers of subjects or single figures one above another.
The interior of the Monreale Cathedral is home to a plethora of religious mosaics. The interior is extremely vast and has a multitude of opulent decoration. Amongst the mosaics are also antique columns, marble paneling along the lower sections of the walls, and an elaborate floor in the sanctuary. The mosaics, which covering the upper sections of the sanctuary and nave walls, span approximately 6,500 square meters, as mentioned prior. This expansive array of mosaics makes the Monreale Cathedral home to Italy's most extensive mosaic decoration, which surpasses that of Venice's San Marco.
Subjects The Monreale Cathedral Mosaics depict a number of well-known and renowned religious figures and iconography. There are also depictions of stories from the Bible represented within the many mosaic decorations of the Monreale Cathedral, including the journey of Noah's Ark along with the labour of Adam and Eve.
As shown in the first figure of the East apse, there is a prominent hand-figure of Christ Pantocrator, which exhibits a superior style when compared to other depicted figures. Christ is the largest figure compared to the other smallers figures below and surrounding the East Apse. Below, the next focal point is an image of an enthroned Madonna and Child, whom are flanked by archangels and apostles.
There are also enthroned images of the apostles, Saint Peter and Saint Paul, that are displayed on the apse culottes, where scenes from their lives decorate the nearby walls.
A comprehensive depiction of the life of Christ is shown across three levels upon the walls of the crossing as well as the Cathedral's transepts. This mosaic narrative extends into the nave, where there are forty two scenes taken from the Genesis which are portrayed across two separate levels. Additionally, the side aisles feature mosaics that illustrate the miracles of Christ.
Inscriptions on each picture explain the subject or saint represented; these are in Latin, except for some few which are in Greek. The subjects in the nave begin with scenes from the Book of Genesis, illustrating the Old Testament types of Christ and His scheme of redemption, with figures of those who prophesied and prepared for His coming. Around the lower tier and the choir are subjects from the New Testament, chiefly representing Christ's miracles and suffering, with apostles, evangelists and other saints. The mosaic series of the cathedral is divided into five large cycles:https://medievalmosaics.com/mosaics/92
mosaics of the apse, representing Christ Pantocrator in His heavenly glory mosaics of the main nave (Book of Genesis) Creation cycle Story of Adam and Eve Story of Cain and Abel Noah's Flood cycle Building the Tower of Babel Forefathers cycle: Abraham story Lot's story Isaac's story Jacob's story mosaics of the side naves — Christ's miracles mosaics of the crossing and both wings of transept — childhood of Jesus, teaching and miracles, Passion mosaics of the two presbitery chapels — the lives of Apostles Peter and Paul
In addition to the narrative mosaics on the cathedral walls (in the arches, under the roof, in the choir), there are a large number of mosaic of saints — full-length or half-length (in medallions). The arches are richly decorated with mosaic patterns, recalling the influence of Arab culture on the mosaic artists of Monreale.
Also important to mention two donor's dedications:
William II dedication moisaic (with Mary) William II coronation moisaic (with Christ)
By location
West wall (Counterfaçade)
Level South sideMain door North side Medallions Archangels[window] Archangels Bifora level Creation of Eve Eve Presented to AdamLatin inscriptionsIMMISIT DOMINUS SOPOREM IN ADAM ET TULIT EVAM DE COSTIA EIUSADDUCIT DOMINUS MULIEREM AD ADAM DIXITQUE ADAM HOC ENIM OS EX OSSIBUS MEIS ET CARO DE CARNE MEATranslationThe Lord sent a sleep on Adam and brought Eve from his sideThe Lord led the woman to Adam and Adam said "For this is bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh" Side-roof level Lot and the Two AngelsSaint Cassius and Saint Castus Destruction of SodomLatin inscriptionsANGELIS DIRIGUNT OCULOS CONTRA SODOMEN SODOMITÆ VALLAVERUNT DOMUM LOTHMichele del Giudice, Descrizione..., page 10?SUMMERSIUM SODOMA FUGIT LOTH CUM UXORE ET FILIABUS SUISTranslationAngels direct their eyes against Sodom; the Sodomites surround Lot's houseDestruction of Sodom; Lot flees with his wife and daughters Bifora level(In the aisle) Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes - part 2 Martyrdom of Saint Cassius and Saint CastusMadonna and Child Miracles of Saint Castrensis(In the aisle) Healing of the Infirm Woman - part 1?SPONSA SVE PROLIS O STELLA PVERPERA SOLIS PRO CVNCTIS ORA SED PLVS PRO REGE LABORA?Bride of her offspring, O star-bearing Mother of the Sun, pray for all, but labor more for the King.Medallion with starry skyMichael №1[door]Gabriel №1
South nave (right side) The entire space above the pointed arches of the main nave (south and north sides of the nave) and its rear — western wall are covered with mosaics illustrating the Book of Genesis. The quality of the depiction and the composition of the main nave mosaics significantly differ from those of the apse. The main nave mosaics lack artistic perspective, human figures are disproportionately constructed, and the landscapes and architectural details are quite stylized. Yet, at the same time, these mosaics are characterized by greater naturalness, closeness to the realities of everyday life, and free poses and movements of the characters.