Mosaic

context: Mosaic has a long history, starting in Mesopotamia in the 3rd millennium BC. Pebble mosaics were made in Tiryns in Mycenean Greece; mosaics with patterns and pictures became widespread in classical times, both in Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. Early Christian basilicas from the 4th century onwards were decorated with wall and ceiling mosaics. Mosaic art flourished in the Byzantine Empire from the 6th to the 15th centuries; that tradition was adopted by the Norman kingdom in Sicily in the 12th century, by eastern-influenced Venice, and among the Rus in Ukraine. Mosaic fell out of fashion in the Renaissance, though artists like Raphael continued to practise the old technique. Roman and Byzantine influence led Jews to decorate 5th and 6th century synagogues in the Middle East with floor mosaics.
qas: answers: text: the 3rd millennium BC
question: What millennium did Mosaic start?

answers: text: Pebble mosaics
question: What kind of mosaic were made in Tiryns?

answers: text: Byzantine
question: Who besides the Romans did the Jewish people get influenced by?

answers: text: the Renaissance
question: When did mosaic fall out of fashion?

answers: text: Sicily
question: The Norman kingdomwas in what italian city state?

context: Bronze age pebble mosaics have been found at Tiryns; mosaics of the 4th century BC are found in the Macedonian palace-city of Aegae, and the 4th-century BC mosaic of The Beauty of Durrës discovered in Durrës, Albania in 1916, is an early figural example; the Greek figural style was mostly formed in the 3rd century BC. Mythological subjects, or scenes of hunting or other pursuits of the wealthy, were popular as the centrepieces of a larger geometric design, with strongly emphasized borders. Pliny the Elder mentions the artist Sosus of Pergamon by name, describing his mosaics of the food left on a floor after a feast and of a group of doves drinking from a bowl. Both of these themes were widely copied.
qas: answers: text: Bronze age
question: The pebble mosaics found at Tiyns are from what age?

answers: text: Albania
question: The Beauty of Durres is in what country?

answers: text: Pergamon
question: The famous artists Sosus was from what area?

answers: text: the 3rd century BC
question: When was the Greek figure style mostly formed?

answers: text: the 4th-century BC
question: When was the famous mosaic "The Beauty of Durres" created?

context: Greek figural mosaics could have been copied or adapted paintings, a far more prestigious artform, and the style was enthusiastically adopted by the Romans so that large floor mosaics enriched the floors of Hellenistic villas and Roman dwellings from Britain to Dura-Europos. Most recorded names of Roman mosaic workers are Greek, suggesting they dominated high quality work across the empire; no doubt most ordinary craftsmen were slaves. Splendid mosaic floors are found in Roman villas across North Africa, in places such as Carthage, and can still be seen in the extensive collection in Bardo Museum in Tunis, Tunisia.
qas: answers: text: paintings
question: What common artform is far more prestigious than mosaic?

answers: text: the Romans
question: Which culture adapted the use of mosaics for large ground coverings in their villas?

answers: text: Greek
question: Most names of Roman mosaic workers are what nationality?

answers: text: slaves
question: Often regular everyday craftsman were most likely what?

answers: text: North Africa
question: Carthage and Tunisia are in what general area?

context: There were two main techniques in Greco-Roman mosaic: opus vermiculatum used tiny tesserae, typically cubes of 4 millimeters or less, and was produced in workshops in relatively small panels which were transported to the site glued to some temporary support. The tiny tesserae allowed very fine detail, and an approach to the illusionism of painting. Often small panels called emblemata were inserted into walls or as the highlights of larger floor-mosaics in coarser work. The normal technique was opus tessellatum, using larger tesserae, which was laid on site. There was a distinct native Italian style using black on a white background, which was no doubt cheaper than fully coloured work.
qas: answers: text: opus vermiculatum
question: What type of mosaic uses small tesserae?

answers: text: emblemata
question: What were small panel mosaics known as?

answers: text: opus tessellatum
question: What was the name of the mosaic technique that used larger tesserae?

answers: text: very fine detail
question: What was the benefit of using small pieces to create a mosaic?

answers: text: cheaper than fully coloured work
question: Why were black and white pieces used in most italian mosaics?

context: In Rome, Nero and his architects used mosaics to cover some surfaces of walls and ceilings in the Domus Aurea, built 64 AD, and wall mosaics are also found at Pompeii and neighbouring sites. However it seems that it was not until the Christian era that figural wall mosaics became a major form of artistic expression. The Roman church of Santa Costanza, which served as a mausoleum for one or more of the Imperial family, has both religious mosaic and decorative secular ceiling mosaics on a round vault, which probably represent the style of contemporary palace decoration.
qas: answers: text: Nero
question: Which caesar hired builders to construct the Domus Aurea?

answers: text: the Christian era
question: When did figure wall mosaics become the highest form of artistic expression?

answers: text: Rome
question: The church of Santa Costanza is in what country?

answers: text: 64 AD
question: When was the Domus Aurea constructed?

answers: text: a mausoleum
question: The imperial family of Rome used the church of Santa Costanza as what?

context: The mosaics of the Villa Romana del Casale near Piazza Armerina in Sicily are the largest collection of late Roman mosaics in situ in the world, and are protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The large villa rustica, which was probably owned by Emperor Maximian, was built largely in the early 4th century. The mosaics were covered and protected for 700 years by a landslide that occurred in the 12th Century. The most important pieces are the Circus Scene, the 64m long Great Hunting Scene, the Little Hunt, the Labours of Hercules and the famous Bikini Girls, showing women undertaking a range of sporting activities in garments that resemble 20th Century bikinis. The peristyle, the imperial apartments and the thermae were also decorated with ornamental and mythological mosaics. Other important examples of Roman mosaic art in Sicily were unearthed on the Piazza Vittoria in Palermo where two houses were discovered. The most important scenes there depicted Orpheus, Alexander the Great's Hunt and the Four Seasons.
qas: answers: text: Sicily
question: In what area of Italy is the largest collection of mosaics in the world?

answers: text: Emperor Maximian
question: Who most likely lived in the large villa rustica?

answers: text: a landslide
question: What caused the mosaics at the villa rustica to be protected for centuries? 

answers: text: 64m
question: How long is the hunting scene at the villa rustica?

answers: text: Piazza Vittoria in Palermo
question: Where in Sicily were the "Orpheus," and the "Four Seasons" discovered?

context: In 1913 the Zliten mosaic, a Roman mosaic famous for its many scenes from gladiatorial contests, hunting and everyday life, was discovered in the Libyan town of Zliten. In 2000 archaeologists working in Leptis Magna, Libya, uncovered a 30 ft length of five colorful mosaics created during the 1st or 2nd century AD. The mosaics show a warrior in combat with a deer, four young men wrestling a wild bull to the ground, and a gladiator resting in a state of fatigue, staring at his slain opponent. The mosaics decorated the walls of a cold plunge pool in a bath house within a Roman villa. The gladiator mosaic is noted by scholars as one of the finest examples of mosaic art ever seen — a "masterpiece comparable in quality with the Alexander Mosaic in Pompeii."
qas: answers: text: gladiatorial contests
question: What scenes are depicted on the Zliten mosaic?

answers: text: 1913
question: When was the Zliten mosaic discovered?

answers: text: 30 ft
question: How long was the mural discovered in Libya?

answers: text: 1st or 2nd century AD
question: The mosaics uncovered in Libya were from which century?

answers: text: Pompeii
question: The gladiator mosaic is on par with the Alexander mosaic in which city?

context: With the building of Christian basilicas in the late 4th century, wall and ceiling mosaics were adopted for Christian uses. The earliest examples of Christian basilicas have not survived, but the mosaics of Santa Constanza and Santa Pudenziana, both from the 4th century, still exist. The winemaking putti in the ambulatory of Santa Constanza still follow the classical tradition in that they represent the feast of Bacchus, which symbolizes transformation or change, and are thus appropriate for a mausoleum, the original function of this building. In another great Constantinian basilica, the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem the original mosaic floor with typical Roman geometric motifs is partially preserved. The so-called Tomb of the Julii, near the crypt beneath St Peter's Basilica, is a 4th-century vaulted tomb with wall and ceiling mosaics that are given Christian interpretations. The Rotunda of Galerius in Thessaloniki, converted into a Christian church during the course of the 4th century, was embellished with very high artistic quality mosaics. Only fragments survive of the original decoration, especially a band depicting saints with hands raised in prayer, in front of complex architectural fantasies.
qas: answers: text: the late 4th century
question: Around what century were mosaics adapted for Christian churches?

answers: text: Santa Pudenziana
question: What Christian church besides the Santa Costanza was built in the 4th century?

answers: text: a mausoleum
question: What was the original function of the Santa Costanza church?

answers: text: St Peter's Basilica
question: In which basilica is the Tomb of Julii?

answers: text: Constantinian
question: Under what period were the 4th century churches built?

context: In the following century Ravenna, the capital of the Western Roman Empire, became the center of late Roman mosaic art (see details in Ravenna section). Milan also served as the capital of the western empire in the 4th century. In the St Aquilinus Chapel of the Basilica of San Lorenzo, mosaics executed in the late 4th and early 5th centuries depict Christ with the Apostles and the Abduction of Elijah; these mosaics are outstanding for their bright colors, naturalism and adherence to the classical canons of order and proportion. The surviving apse mosaic of the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio, which shows Christ enthroned between Saint Gervasius and Saint Protasius and angels before a golden background date back to the 5th and to the 8th century, although it was restored many times later. The baptistery of the basilica, which was demolished in the 15th century, had a vault covered with gold-leaf tesserae, large quantities of which were found when the site was excavated. In the small shrine of San Vittore in ciel d'oro, now a chapel of Sant'Ambrogio, every surface is covered with mosaics from the second half of the 5th century. Saint Victor is depicted in the center of the golden dome, while figures of saints are shown on the walls before a blue background. The low spandrels give space for the symbols of the four Evangelists.
qas: answers: text: Milan
question: Which city besides Ravenna served as the capital of the Western Roman Empire?

answers: text: apse
question: What is the name of the mosaic in the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio?

answers: text: the 5th century
question: The shrine of San Vittore in ciel d'oro had mosaics from which century?

answers: text: Elijah
question: Who do the mosaics at the the basilica of San Lorenzo depict as being abducted?

answers: text: the 15th century
question: When was the baptistry at the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio demolished?

context: In the 5th-century Ravenna, the capital of the Western Roman Empire, became the center of late Roman mosaic art. The Mausoleum of Galla Placidia was decorated with mosaics of high artistic quality in 425–430. The vaults of the small, cross-shaped structure are clad with mosaics on blue background. The central motif above the crossing is a golden cross in the middle of the starry sky. Another great building established by Galla Placidia was the church of San Giovanni Evangelista. She erected it in fulfillment of a vow that she made having escaped from a deadly storm in 425 on the sea voyage from Constantinople to Ravenna. The mosaics depicted the storm, portraits of members of the western and eastern imperial family and the bishop of Ravenna, Peter Chrysologus. They are known only from Renaissance sources because almost all were destroyed in 1747.
qas: answers: text: Ravenna
question: In the 5th century what was the capital of the Western Roman Empire?

answers: text: 425–430
question: What years was the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia decorated with mosaics?

answers: text: the church of San Giovanni Evangelista
question: What other famous landmark in Ravenna was established by Galla Placidia? 

answers: text: fulfillment of a vow
question: Why did Galla Placidia erect the church of San Giovanni Evangelista?

answers: text: 1747
question: When were most of the mosaics at the church of San Giovanni Evangelista destroyed?

context: After 539 Ravenna was reconquered by the Romans in the form of the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) and became the seat of the Exarchate of Ravenna. The greatest development of Christian mosaics unfolded in the second half of the 6th century. Outstanding examples of Byzantine mosaic art are the later phase mosaics in the Basilica of San Vitale and Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo. The mosaic depicting Emperor Saint Justinian I and Empress Theodora in the Basilica of San Vitale were executed shortly after the Byzantine conquest. The mosaics of the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe were made around 549. The anti-Arian theme is obvious in the apse mosaic of San Michele in Affricisco, executed in 545–547 (largely destroyed; the remains in Berlin).
qas: answers: text: After 539
question: When was Ravenna conquered by the Eastern Roman Empire?

answers: text: the second half of the 6th century
question: When did the biggest achievement in Christian mosaics take place?

answers: text: the Byzantine conquest
question: What event led up to the creation of the amazing mosaics in in the Basilica of San Vitale?

answers: text: 549
question: When were the mosaics at the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare created?

answers: text: Berlin
question: Where are the remains of the apse mosaic of San Michele?

context: The mosaic pavement of the Vrina Plain basilica of Butrint, Albania appear to pre-date that of the Baptistery by almost a generation, dating to the last quarter of the 5th or the first years of the 6th century. The mosaic displays a variety of motifs including sea-creatures, birds, terrestrial beasts, fruits, flowers, trees and abstracts – designed to depict a terrestrial paradise of God’s creation. Superimposed on this scheme are two large tablets, tabulae ansatae, carrying inscriptions. A variety of fish, a crab, a lobster, shrimps, mushrooms, flowers, a stag and two cruciform designs surround the smaller of the two inscriptions, which reads: In fulfilment of the vow (prayer) of those whose names God knows. This anonymous dedicatory inscription is a public demonstration of the benefactors’ humility and an acknowledgement of God’s omniscience.
qas: answers: text: almost a generation
question: The floor mosaic in Butrint is how much older than that of the Baptistry?

answers: text: Albania
question: In what country is Butrint?

answers: text: prayer
question: What type of message was left on the mosaics at Butrint?

answers: text: Butrint
question: The Vrina Plain basilica is in which city?

answers: text: a terrestrial paradise
question: What was the mosaic at Butrint designed to portray?

context: The abundant variety of natural life depicted in the Butrint mosaics celebrates the richness of God’s creation; some elements also have specific connotations. The kantharos vase and vine refer to the eucharist, the symbol of the sacrifice of Christ leading to salvation. Peacocks are symbols of paradise and resurrection; shown eating or drinking from the vase they indicate the route to eternal life. Deer or stags were commonly used as images of the faithful aspiring to Christ: "As a heart desireth the water brook, so my souls longs for thee, O God." Water-birds and fish and other sea-creatures can indicate baptism as well as the members of the Church who are christened.
qas: answers: text: natural life
question: What was depicted on the Butrint mosaics in abundance?

answers: text: the eucharist
question: What do the katharos vase and vine refer to?

answers: text: paradise and resurrection
question: What do peacocks represent in Christian symbolism?

answers: text: baptism
question: What do most sea-creatures represent in Christina symbolism?

answers: text: the faithful aspiring to Christ
question: What did deers or stags represent in Christian Symbolism?

context: Christian mosaic art also flourished in Rome, gradually declining as conditions became more difficult in the Early Middle Ages. 5th century mosaics can be found over the triumphal arch and in the nave of the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. The 27 surviving panels of the nave are the most important mosaic cycle in Rome of this period. Two other important 5th century mosaics are lost but we know them from 17th-century drawings. In the apse mosaic of Sant'Agata dei Goti (462–472, destroyed in 1589) Christ was seated on a globe with the twelve Apostles flanking him, six on either side. At Sant'Andrea in Catabarbara (468–483, destroyed in 1686) Christ appeared in the center, flanked on either side by three Apostles. Four streams flowed from the little mountain supporting Christ. The original 5th-century apse mosaic of the Santa Sabina was replaced by a very similar fresco by Taddeo Zuccari in 1559. The composition probably remained unchanged: Christ flanked by male and female saints, seated on a hill while lambs drinking from a stream at its feet. All three mosaics had a similar iconography.
qas: answers: text: the Early Middle Ages
question: When did conditions become difficult for mosaic art in Rome?

answers: text: 1589
question: When was the mosaic of Sant'Agata dei Goti destroyed?

answers: text: iconography
question: What was similar between the three most important 5th century mosaics?

answers: text: 1559
question: When was the mosaic at Santa Sabina replaced with a fresco?

answers: text: Taddeo Zuccari
question: Who was the artist that painted the fresco that replaced the mosaic at Santa Sobina?

context: In the 7th–9th centuries Rome fell under the influence of Byzantine art, noticeable on the mosaics of Santa Prassede, Santa Maria in Domnica, Sant'Agnese fuori le Mura, Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, Santi Nereo e Achilleo and the San Venanzio chapel of San Giovanni in Laterano. The great dining hall of Pope Leo III in the Lateran Palace was also decorated with mosaics. They were all destroyed later except for one example, the so-called Triclinio Leoniano of which a copy was made in the 18th century. Another great work of Pope Leo, the apse mosaic of Santa Susanna, depicted Christ with the Pope and Charlemagne on one side, and SS. Susanna and Felicity on the other. It was plastered over during a renovation in 1585. Pope Paschal I (817–824) embellished the church of Santo Stefano del Cacco with an apsidal mosaic which depicted the pope with a model of the church (destroyed in 1607).
qas: answers: text: the 7th–9th centuries
question: During which centuries did ROme fall under the influence of Byzantine art?

answers: text: mosaics
question: The lateran Palace was decorated with what?

answers: text: They were all destroyed later
question: What do most mosaics from the 7th-9th centuries have in common?

answers: text: Triclinio Leoniano
question: Which mosaic survived through the 9th century, and then had a copy made in the 18th?

answers: text: 1607
question: When was the mosaic at the church of Santo Stefano del Cacco destroyed?

context: Important fragments survived from the mosaic floor of the Great Palace of Constantinople which was commissioned during Justinian's reign. The figures, animals, plants all are entirely classical but they are scattered before a plain background. The portrait of a moustached man, probably a Gothic chieftain, is considered the most important surviving mosaic of the Justinianian age. The so-called small sekreton of the palace was built during Justin II's reign around 565–577. Some fragments survive from the mosaics of this vaulted room. The vine scroll motifs are very similar to those in the Santa Constanza and they still closely follow the Classical tradition. There are remains of floral decoration in the Church of the Acheiropoietos in Thessaloniki (5th–6th centuries).
qas: answers: text: during Justinian's reign
question: When were the mosaics at the Great Palace of Constantinople commissioned?

answers: text: The portrait of a moustached man
question: What is considered the most important surviving mosaic of the Justinian age?

answers: text: small sekreton
question: What was the small vaulted room in the Great Palace of Constantinople called?

answers: text: Classical
question: Vine Scroll motifs are classified under what kind of tradition?

answers: text: 5th–6th centuries
question: When were the mosaics at the church in Thessaloniki created?

context: Very few early Byzantine mosaics survived the Iconoclastic destruction of the 8th century. Among the rare examples are the 6th-century Christ in majesty (or Ezekiel's Vision) mosaic in the apse of the Church of Hosios David in Thessaloniki that was hidden behind mortar during those dangerous times. Nine mosaic panels in the Hagios Demetrios Church, which were made between 634 and 730, also escaped destruction. Unusually almost all represent Saint Demetrius of Thessaloniki, often with suppliants before him.
qas: answers: text: Very few
question: How many Byzantine mosaics survived past the 8th century?

answers: text: Christ in majesty (or Ezekiel's Vision)
question: The mosaic in the church in Thessaloniki is know as what?

answers: text: between 634 and 730
question: When were the panels in the Hagios Demetrios Church created?

answers: text: hidden behind mortar
question: Why was Christ in majesty protected from the iconoclastic destruction?

answers: text: almost all represent Saint Demetrius
question: What is common about the surviving mosaics from the 7th-9th centuries?

context: In the Iconoclastic era, figural mosaics were also condemned as idolatry. The Iconoclastic churches were embellished with plain gold mosaics with only one great cross in the apse like the Hagia Irene in Constantinople (after 740). There were similar crosses in the apses of the Hagia Sophia Church in Thessaloniki and in the Church of the Dormition in Nicaea. The crosses were substituted with the image of the Theotokos in both churches after the victory of the Iconodules (787–797 and in 8th–9th centuries respectively, the Dormition church was totally destroyed in 1922).
qas: answers: text: gold mosaics with only one great cross
question: What was the common mosaic theme of iconoclastic churches?

answers: text: condemned as idolatry
question: Why were mosaics destroyed in the iconoclastic era?

answers: text: 787–797
question: When did the Iconodules  change the cross in the Hagia Sophia?

answers: text: after 740
question: When did the Hagia Irene adapt the iconoclastic era mosaics?

answers: text: 1922
question: When was the Dormition church destroyed? 

context: The Nea Moni Monastery on Chios was established by Constantine Monomachos in 1043–1056. The exceptional mosaic decoration of the dome showing probably the nine orders of the angels was destroyed in 1822 but other panels survived (Theotokos with raised hands, four evangelists with seraphim, scenes from Christ's life and an interesting Anastasis where King Salomon bears resemblance to Constantine Monomachos). In comparison with Osios Loukas Nea Moni mosaics contain more figures, detail, landscape and setting.
qas: answers: text: Chios
question: Where is the Nea Moni Monastery located?

answers: text: Constantine Monomachos
question: Who established the Nea Moni Monastery?

answers: text: 1043–1056
question: When was the Nea Moni Monastery established?

answers: text: 1822
question: When was the mosaic at the Nea Moni Monastery destroyed?

answers: text: Osios Loukas
question: The Nea Moni mosaics are more detailed than what what other famous mosaics?

context: Another great undertaking by Constantine Monomachos was the restoration of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem between 1042 and 1048. Nothing survived of the mosaics which covered the walls and the dome of the edifice but the Russian abbot Daniel, who visited Jerusalem in 1106–1107 left a description: "Lively mosaics of the holy prophets are under the ceiling, over the tribune. The altar is surmounted by a mosaic image of Christ. In the main altar one can see the mosaic of the Exhaltation of Adam. In the apse the Ascension of Christ. The Annunciation occupies the two pillars next to the altar."
qas: answers: text: Constantine Monomachos
question: Who restored the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the 1040's?

answers: text: the Russian abbot Daniel
question: Who left the only description of the mosaics at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre?

answers: text: Nothing
question: What survives of the mosaics that adorned the walls and dome of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre?

answers: text: Jerusalem
question: Where did the Russian abbot Daniel travel in 1106-07?

context: The 9th- and 10th-century mosaics of the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople are truly classical Byzantine artworks. The north and south tympana beneath the dome was decorated with figures of prophets, saints and patriarchs. Above the principal door from the narthex we can see an Emperor kneeling before Christ (late 9th or early 10th century). Above the door from the southwest vestibule to the narthex another mosaic shows the Theotokos with Justinian and Constantine. Justinian I is offering the model of the church to Mary while Constantine is holding a model of the city in his hand. Both emperors are beardless – this is an example for conscious archaization as contemporary Byzantine rulers were bearded. A mosaic panel on the gallery shows Christ with Constantine Monomachos and Empress Zoe (1042–1055). The emperor gives a bulging money sack to Christ as a donation for the church.
qas: answers: text: The 9th- and 10th-century
question: When were the Byzantine mosaics of the Hagia Sophia created?

answers: text: prophets, saints and patriarchs
question: The tympana under the dome had images of whom displayed?

answers: text: a bulging money sack
question: What does the Empress give to Christ as depicted by the mosaic?

answers: text: 1055
question: When did the Empress Zoe die?

answers: text: Constantine Monomachos
question: Who was depicted with the Empress Zoe on a panel in the gallery of the Hagia Sophia?

context: There are very few existing mosaics from the Komnenian period but this paucity must be due to accidents of survival and gives a misleading impression. The only surviving 12th-century mosaic work in Constantinople is a panel in Hagia Sophia depicting Emperor John II and Empress Eirene with the Theotokos (1122–34). The empress with her long braided hair and rosy cheeks is especially capturing. It must be a lifelike portrayal because Eirene was really a redhead as her original Hungarian name, Piroska shows. The adjacent portrait of Emperor Alexios I Komnenos on a pier (from 1122) is similarly personal. The imperial mausoleum of the Komnenos dynasty, the Pantokrator Monastery was certainly decorated with great mosaics but these were later destroyed. The lack of Komnenian mosaics outside the capital is even more apparent. There is only a "Communion of the Apostles" in the apse of the cathedral of Serres.
qas: answers: text: accidents of survival
question: Why are there so few surviving mosaics from the Komnenian period?

answers: text: Hagia Sophia
question: Where is the only existing 12th century mosaic in Constantinople?

answers: text: red
question: The empress Eirene had what color hair?

answers: text: the Theotokos
question: What deity does the 12th century mosaic in the Hagia Sophia depict?

answers: text: the cathedral of Serres
question: The only surviving mosaic from the Komnenos dynasty outside Constantinople is in what church?

context: A striking technical innovation of the Komnenian period was the production of very precious, miniature mosaic icons. In these icons the small tesserae (with sides of 1 mm or less) were set on wax or resin on a wooden panel. These products of extraordinary craftmanship were intended for private devotion. The Louvre Transfiguration is a very fine example from the late 12th century. The miniature mosaic of Christ in the Museo Nazionale at Florence illustrates the more gentle, humanistic conception of Christ which appeared in the 12th century.
qas: answers: text: 1 mm or less
question: How big were the tesserae in the Komnenian period miniature mosaic icons?

answers: text: wax or resin
question: What were the tesserae usually set in for miniature mosaic icons?

answers: text: in the 12th century
question: The more humanistic conception of Christ appeared when?

answers: text: private devotion
question: What was the intended purpose of the miniature mosaic icons?

context: The Church of the Holy Apostles in Thessaloniki was built in 1310–14. Although some vandal systematically removed the gold tesserae of the background it can be seen that the Pantokrator and the prophets in the dome follow the traditional Byzantine pattern. Many details are similar to the Pammakaristos mosaics so it is supposed that the same team of mosaicists worked in both buildings. Another building with a related mosaic decoration is the Theotokos Paregoritissa Church in Arta. The church was established by the Despot of Epirus in 1294–96. In the dome is the traditional stern Pantokrator, with prophets and cherubim below.
qas: answers: text: 1310–14
question: When was the Church of the Holy Apostles built? 

answers: text: some vandal
question: Who removed the gold tesserae in the background of the mosaic at the Church of the Holy Apostles?

answers: text: Arta
question: Where is the Theotokos Paregoritissa Church located?

answers: text: the Despot of Epirus
question: Who established the Theotokos Paregoritissa Church in 1294-96?

answers: text: Pammakaristos
question: The same team of mosaicists worked on the Church of the Holy Apostles in Thessaloniki as which other building?

context: The greatest mosaic work of the Palaeologan renaissance in art is the decoration of the Chora Church in Constantinople. Although the mosaics of the naos have not survived except three panels, the decoration of the exonarthex and the esonarthex constitute the most important full-scale mosaic cycle in Constantinople after the Hagia Sophia. They were executed around 1320 by the command of Theodore Metochites. The esonarthex has two fluted domes, specially created to provide the ideal setting for the mosaic images of the ancestors of Christ. The southern one is called the Dome of the Pantokrator while the northern one is the Dome of the Theotokos. The most important panel of the esonarthex depicts Theodore Metochites wearing a huge turban, offering the model of the church to Christ. The walls of both narthexes are decorated with mosaic cycles from the life of the Virgin and the life of Christ. These panels show the influence of the Italian trecento on Byzantine art especially the more natural settings, landscapes, figures.
qas: answers: text: the Chora Church in Constantinople
question: where is the greatest mosaic work of the renaissance?

answers: text: three
question: How many mosaic panels from naos have survived?

answers: text: the Hagia Sophia
question: The panels of naos are only capped in importance by which other location?

answers: text: Theodore Metochites
question: Who commissioned the mosaics at naos?

answers: text: Italian trecento
question: The panels from naos show what influence on Byzantine art. 

context: The last great period of Roman mosaic art was the 12th–13th century when Rome developed its own distinctive artistic style, free from the strict rules of eastern tradition and with a more realistic portrayal of figures in the space. Well-known works of this period are the floral mosaics of the Basilica di San Clemente, the façade of Santa Maria in Trastevere and San Paolo fuori le Mura. The beautiful apse mosaic of Santa Maria in Trastevere (1140) depicts Christ and Mary sitting next to each other on the heavenly throne, the first example of this iconographic scheme. A similar mosaic, the Coronation of the Virgin, decorates the apse of Santa Maria Maggiore. It is a work of Jacopo Torriti from 1295. The mosaics of Torriti and Jacopo da Camerino in the apse of San Giovanni in Laterano from 1288–94 were thoroughly restored in 1884. The apse mosaic of San Crisogono is attributed to Pietro Cavallini, the greatest Roman painter of the 13th century. Six scenes from the life of Mary in Santa Maria in Trastevere were also executed by Cavallini in 1290. These mosaics are praised for their realistic portrayal and attempts of perspective. There is an interesting mosaic medaillon from 1210 above the gate of the church of San Tommaso in Formis showing Christ enthroned between a white and a black slave. The church belonged to the Order of the Trinitarians which was devoted to ransoming Christian slaves.
qas: answers: text: the 12th–13th century
question: When was the last period of Roman mosaic art?

answers: text: Trastevere
question: Where is the church of Santa maria?

answers: text: Christ and Mary
question: Who does the facade at the Santa Maria church depict?

answers: text: in 1884
question: When were the mosaics at Torriti and Jacopo fully restored?

answers: text: 1210
question: What year was the medallion above the gate of the church of San Tommaso?

context: The great Navicella mosaic (1305–1313) in the atrium of the Old St. Peter's is attributed to Giotto di Bondone. The giant mosaic, commissioned by Cardinal Jacopo Stefaneschi, was originally situated on the eastern porch of the old basilica and occupied the whole wall above the entrance arcade facing the courtyard. It depicted St. Peter walking on the waters. This extraordinary work was mainly destroyed during the construction of the new St. Peter's in the 17th century. Navicella means "little ship" referring to the large boat which dominated the scene, and whose sail, filled by the storm, loomed over the horizon. Such a natural representation of a seascape was known only from ancient works of art.
qas: answers: text: Giotto di Bondone
question: Who created the Navicella mosaic in the Old St. Peter's church?

answers: text: Cardinal Jacopo Stefaneschi
question: Who commissioned the Navicella mosaic?

answers: text: St. Peter
question: Who did the navicella mosaic depict walking on water?

answers: text: the 17th
question: What century was the majority of the Navicella mosaic destroyed?

answers: text: "little ship"
question: Navicella means what in Italian?

context: The heyday of mosaic making in Sicily was the age of the independent Norman kingdom in the 12th century. The Norman kings adopted the Byzantine tradition of mosaic decoration to enhance the somewhat dubious legality of their rule. Greek masters working in Sicily developed their own style, that shows the influence of Western European and Islamic artistic tendencies. Best examples of Sicilian mosaic art are the Cappella Palatina of Roger II, the Martorana church in Palermo and the cathedrals of Cefalù and Monreale.
qas: answers: text: enhance the somewhat dubious legality of their rule
question: Why did the Normans adopt a Byzantine art style?

answers: text: the 12th century
question: when was the height of mosaic art in sicily?

answers: text: Greek masters working in Sicily
question: Who was influenced by Western European and Islamic tendencies?

answers: text: Norman kings
question: Who adopted the Byzantine mosaic tradition?

answers: text: Sicily
question: The Martorana church is an example of the best mosaic art in what part italy?

context: The Martorana church (decorated around 1143) looked originally even more Byzantine although important parts were later demolished. The dome mosaic is similar to that of the Cappella Palatina, with Christ enthroned in the middle and four bowed, elongated angels. The Greek inscriptions, decorative patterns, and evangelists in the squinches are obviously executed by the same Greek masters who worked on the Cappella Palatina. The mosaic depicting Roger II of Sicily, dressed in Byzantine imperial robes and receiving the crown by Christ, was originally in the demolished narthex together with another panel, the Theotokos with Georgios of Antiochia, the founder of the church.
qas: answers: text: around 1143
question: When was the Martorana church decorated?

answers: text: Christ
question: Who is featured in the mosaic at the Martorana church?

answers: text: the Cappella Palatina
question: The Martorana church was likely decorated by the same greek masters who decorated which church?

answers: text: Georgios of Antiochia
question: Who was the founder of the Martorana church?

answers: text: Roger II
question: Who is receiving a crown from christ in the mosaic originally in the narthex?

context: The Monreale mosaics constitute the largest decoration of this kind in Italy, covering 0,75 hectares with at least 100 million glass and stone tesserae. This huge work was executed between 1176 and 1186 by the order of King William II of Sicily. The iconography of the mosaics in the presbytery is similar to Cefalu while the pictures in the nave are almost the same as the narrative scenes in the Cappella Palatina. The Martorana mosaic of Roger II blessed by Christ was repeated with the figure of King William II instead of his predecessor. Another panel shows the king offering the model of the cathedral to the Theotokos.
qas: answers: text: The Monreale mosaics
question: What is the name of the largest mosaics in Italy?

answers: text: 100 million
question: At least how many tesserae are used in the the Monreale mosaics?

answers: text: King William II of Sicily
question: Who commissioned the Monreale mosaics between 1176 and 1186?

answers: text: King William II
question: Who is displayed getting crowned by christ in the Monreale mosaics?

answers: text: the model of the cathedral
question: What is the king offering Theotokos in the Monreale mosaics? 

context: Southern Italy was also part of the Norman kingdom but great mosaics did not survive in this area except the fine mosaic pavement of the Otranto Cathedral from 1166, with mosaics tied into a tree of life, mostly still preserved. The scenes depict biblical characters, warrior kings, medieval beasts, allegories of the months and working activity. Only fragments survived from the original mosaic decoration of Amalfi's Norman Cathedral. The mosaic ambos in the churches of Ravello prove that mosaic art was widespread in Southern Italy during the 11th–13th centuries.
qas: answers: text: Southern
question: What region of italy was part of the Norman empire?

answers: text: pavement of the Otranto Cathedral
question: The only surviving mosaic from Norman held souther Italy is what?

answers: text: mosaic art was widespread
question: The mosaics in churches of Ravello prove what?

answers: text: 1166
question: What year were the mosaic pavements installed at the Otranto Cathedral?

answers: text: Only fragments
question: What survives from the mosaics of Amalfi's Norman Cathedral?

context: In parts of Italy, which were under eastern artistic influences, like Sicily and Venice, mosaic making never went out of fashion in the Middle Ages. The whole interior of the St Mark's Basilica in Venice is clad with elaborate, golden mosaics. The oldest scenes were executed by Greek masters in the late 11th century but the majority of the mosaics are works of local artists from the 12th–13th centuries. The decoration of the church was finished only in the 16th century. One hundred and ten scenes of mosaics in the atrium of St Mark's were based directly on the miniatures of the Cotton Genesis, a Byzantine manuscript that was brought to Venice after the sack of Constantinople (1204). The mosaics were executed in the 1220s.
qas: answers: text: Venice
question: Which area in Italy besides Sicily did mosaic art not go out of fashion in the middle ages?

answers: text: St Mark's Basilica
question: Which church in Venice is decorated with elaborate golden mosaics?

answers: text: the late 11th century
question: When were the oldest scenes in St. Mark's mosaics completed?

answers: text: local artists
question: The majority of the mosaics in Venice were created by who?

answers: text: 1204
question: When was the sack of Constantinople?

context: Other important Venetian mosaics can be found in the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta in Torcello from the 12th century, and in the Basilical of Santi Maria e Donato in Murano with a restored apse mosaic from the 12th century and a beautiful mosaic pavement (1140). The apse of the San Cipriano Church in Murano was decorated with an impressive golden mosaic from the early 13th century showing Christ enthroned with Mary, St John and the two patron saints, Cipriano and Cipriana. When the church was demolished in the 19th century, the mosaic was bought by Frederick William IV of Prussia. It was reassembled in the Friedenskirche of Potsdam in the 1840s.
qas: answers: text: Torcello
question: Where is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta?

answers: text: the 12th century
question: When were the mosaics in the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta built?

answers: text: Murano
question: Where is the Basilica of Santi Maria e Donato located?

answers: text: Frederick William IV of Prussia
question: Who purchased the 13th century mosaic from the the San Cipriano Church?

answers: text: the Friedenskirche of Potsdam
question: Where did Frederick William IV relocate the mural he purchased?

context: The Abbot of Monte Cassino, Desiderius sent envoys to Constantinople some time after 1066 to hire expert Byzantine mosaicists for the decoration of the rebuilt abbey church. According to chronicler Leo of Ostia the Greek artists decorated the apse, the arch and the vestibule of the basilica. Their work was admired by contemporaries but was totally destroyed in later centuries except two fragments depicting greyhounds (now in the Monte Cassino Museum). "The abbot in his wisdom decided that great number of young monks in the monastery should be thoroughly initiated in these arts" – says the chronicler about the role of the Greeks in the revival of mosaic art in medieval Italy.
qas: answers: text: The Abbot of Monte Cassino
question: Who hired Byzantine experts to decorate a rebuilt abbey church?

answers: text: 1066
question: After what time did the Abbot of Monte Cassino send for Byzantine mosaicists?

answers: text: greyhounds
question: What animal was on the only surviving mosaics created by the greeks at the rebuilt abbey?

answers: text: in the Monte Cassino Museum
question: Where are the only remaining greek mosaic panels now kept?

context: Sometimes not only church interiors but façades were also decorated with mosaics in Italy like in the case of the St Mark's Basilica in Venice (mainly from the 17th–19th centuries, but the oldest one from 1270–75, "The burial of St Mark in the first basilica"), the Cathedral of Orvieto (golden Gothic mosaics from the 14th century, many times redone) and the Basilica di San Frediano in Lucca (huge, striking golden mosaic representing the Ascension of Christ with the apostles below, designed by Berlinghiero Berlinghieri in the 13th century). The Cathedral of Spoleto is also decorated on the upper façade with a huge mosaic portraying the Blessing Christ (signed by one Solsternus from 1207).
qas: answers: text: façades were also decorated
question: What was special about St Mark's Basilica in Venice?

answers: text: from 1270–75
question: When was the latest addition to the facade at St Mark's Basilica in Venice?

answers: text: the 14th
question: the Cathedral of Orvieto has a mosaic facade, done first in which century?

answers: text: Solsternus
question: The Cathedral of Spoleto is signed by who?

answers: text: Christ
question: the Basilica di San Frediano in Lucca has a large golden mosaic facade depicting which figure?

context: Only scant remains prove that mosaics were still used in the Early Middle Ages. The Abbey of Saint-Martial in Limoges, originally an important place of pilgrimage, was totally demolished during the French Revolution except its crypt which was rediscovered in the 1960s. A mosaic panel was unearthed which was dated to the 9th century. It somewhat incongruously uses cubes of gilded glass and deep green marble, probably taken from antique pavements. This could also be the case with the early 9th century mosaic found under the Basilica of Saint-Quentin in Picardy, where antique motifs are copied but using only simple colors. The mosaics in the Cathedral of Saint-Jean at Lyon have been dated to the 11th century because they employ the same non-antique simple colors. More fragments were found on the site of Saint-Croix at Poitiers which might be from the 6th or 9th century.
qas: answers: text: scant remains
question: What proves mosaics were used in the early middle ages?

answers: text: Limoges
question: Where is the Abbey of Saint-Martial?

answers: text: the 1960s
question: When was the crypt of the Abbey of Saint-Martial re-discovered?

answers: text: 9th century mosaic
question: What was found under the Basilica of Saint-Quentin?

answers: text: simple colors
question: What common element do mosaic panels from the 11th century have?

context: Later fresco replaced the more labor-intensive technique of mosaic in Western-Europe, although mosaics were sometimes used as decoration on medieval cathedrals. The Royal Basilica of the Hungarian kings in Székesfehérvár (Alba Regia) had a mosaic decoration in the apse. It was probably a work of Venetian or Ravennese craftsmen, executed in the first decades of the 11th century. The mosaic was almost totally destroyed together with the basilica in the 17th century. The Golden Gate of the St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague got its name from the golden 14th-century mosaic of the Last Judgement above the portal. It was executed by Venetian craftsmen.
qas: answers: text: fresco
question: What would replace the labor intensive technique of mosaic?

answers: text: the 17th century
question: When was the the mosaic at the Royal Basilica of Hungarian Kings destroyed?

answers: text: Venetian craftsmen
question: Who created the Last judgement mosaic in the St. Vitus Cathedral?

answers: text: Alba Regia
question: What is the Royal Basilica of the Hungarian kings also known as?

answers: text: Székesfehérvár
question: Where is the Royal Basilica of the Hungarian kings?

context: The Crusaders in the Holy Land also adopted mosaic decoration under local Byzantine influence. During their 12th-century reconstruction of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem they complemented the existing Byzantine mosaics with new ones. Almost nothing of them survived except the "Ascension of Christ" in the Latin Chapel (now confusingly surrounded by many 20th-century mosaics). More substantial fragments were preserved from the 12th-century mosaic decoration of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. The mosaics in the nave are arranged in five horizontal bands with the figures of the ancestors of Christ, Councils of the Church and angels. In the apses the Annunciation, the Nativity, Adoration of the Magi and Dormition of the Blessed Virgin can be seen. The program of redecoration of the church was completed in 1169 as a unique collaboration of the Byzantine emperor, the king of Jerusalem and the Latin Church.
qas: answers: text: Jerusalem
question: Where is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre located?

answers: text: in the Latin Chapel
question: Where is the mosaic "Ascension of Christ" located?

answers: text: Byzantine
question: What nation influenced the Crusaders mosaic styles?

answers: text: "Ascension of Christ"
question: What is the name of the lone surviving mosaic of the Crusader period?

answers: text: 1169
question: The Byzantine emperor, the king of Jerusalem and the Latin Church came together in what year to redecorate the Church of the Holy Sepulchre?

context: In 2003, the remains of a mosaic pavement were discovered under the ruins of the Bizere Monastery near the River Mureş in present-day Romania. The panels depict real or fantastic animal, floral, solar and geometric representations. Some archeologists supposed that it was the floor of an Orthodox church, built some time between the 10th and 11th century. Other experts claim that it was part of the later Catholic monastery on the site because it shows the signs of strong Italianate influence. The monastery was situated that time in the territory of the Kingdom of Hungary.
qas: answers: text: 2003
question: when were mosaic pavements uncovered at the Bizere Monastery?

answers: text: Romania
question: Where would the Bizere Monastery be located today?

answers: text: between the 10th and 11th century
question: When were the mosaics at Bizere Monastery created?

answers: text: Hungary
question: In what kingdom was the Bizere Monastery located?

context: The mosaics of St. Peter's often show lively Baroque compositions based on designs or canvases from like Ciro Ferri, Guido Reni, Domenichino, Carlo Maratta, and many others. Raphael is represented by a mosaic replica of this last painting, the Transfiguration. Many different artists contributed to the 17th- and 18th-century mosaics in St. Peter's, including Giovanni Battista Calandra, Fabio Cristofari (died 1689), and Pietro Paolo Cristofari (died 1743). Works of the Fabbrica were often used as papal gifts.
qas: answers: text: by a mosaic replica of this last painting
question: How is Raphael portrayed in St. Peter's?

answers: text: 1743
question: What year did Pietro Paolo Cristofari die?

answers: text: papal gifts
question: What was the art of the Fabbrica usually used for?

answers: text: Transfiguration
question: What was the name of the painting used to represent raphael in St. Peter's?

answers: text: designs or canvases
question: The mosaics of St.Peter's are often based on what?

context: The single most important piece of Byzantine Christian mosaic art in the East is the Madaba Map, made between 542 and 570 as the floor of the church of Saint George at Madaba, Jordan. It was rediscovered in 1894. The Madaba Map is the oldest surviving cartographic depiction of the Holy Land. It depicts an area from Lebanon in the north to the Nile Delta in the south, and from the Mediterranean Sea in the west to the Eastern Desert. The largest and most detailed element of the topographic depiction is Jerusalem, at the center of the map. The map is enriched with many naturalistic features, like animals, fishing boats, bridges and palm trees
qas: answers: text: the Madaba Map
question: What is the most important mosaic piece built by Byzantine Christians?

answers: text: between 542 and 570
question: When was the the Madaba Map made?

answers: text: Madaba, Jordan
question: Where is the church of Saint George?

answers: text: 1894
question: When was the Madaba Map rediscovered? 

answers: text: Lebanon
question: The Madaba Map depicts as far South as the Nile delta, and as far North as what country?

context: Important Justinian era mosaics decorated the Saint Catherine's Monastery on Mount Sinai in Egypt. Generally wall mosaics have not survived in the region because of the destruction of buildings but the St. Catherine's Monastery is exceptional. On the upper wall Moses is shown in two panels on a landscape background. In the apse we can see the Transfiguration of Jesus on a golden background. The apse is surrounded with bands containing medallions of apostles and prophets, and two contemporary figure, "Abbot Longinos" and "John the Deacon". The mosaic was probably created in 565/6.
qas: answers: text: Justinian
question: What era were the mosaics that adorned Saint Catherine's Monastery?

answers: text: Mount Sinai in Egypt
question: Where is Saint Catherine's Monastery located?

answers: text: the destruction of buildings
question: Why have wall mosaics generally not survived in the region?

answers: text: Moses
question: Who is depicted in Saint Catherine's Monastery on a mosaic landscape background? 

answers: text: in 565/6
question: When was the mosaic at Saint Catherine's Monastery created?

context: Jerusalem with its many holy places probably had the highest concentration of mosaic-covered churches but very few of them survived the subsequent waves of destructions. The present remains do not do justice to the original richness of the city. The most important is the so-called "Armenian Mosaic" which was discovered in 1894 on the Street of the Prophets near Damascus Gate. It depicts a vine with many branches and grape clusters, which springs from a vase. Populating the vine's branches are peacocks, ducks, storks, pigeons, an eagle, a partridge, and a parrot in a cage. The inscription reads: "For the memory and salvation of all those Armenians whose name the Lord knows." Beneath a corner of the mosaic is a small, natural cave which contained human bones dating to the 5th or 6th centuries. The symbolism of the mosaic and the presence of the burial cave indicates that the room was used as a mortuary chapel.
qas: answers: text: Jerusalem
question: Which city had the highest percentage of mosaic covered churches?

answers: text: near Damascus Gate
question: Where was the Armenian Mosaic found in Jerusalem?

answers: text: a vine with many branches
question: What type of plant is depicted in the Armenian Mosaic?

answers: text: 1894
question: When was the Armenian Mosaic re-discovered?

answers: text: mortuary chapel
question: What was the room under the Armenian Mosaic used for?

context: An exceptionally well preserved, carpet-like mosaic floor was uncovered in 1949 in Bethany, the early Byzantine church of the Lazarium which was built between 333 and 390. Because of its purely geometrical pattern, the church floor is to be grouped with other mosaics of the time in Palestine and neighboring areas, especially the Constantinian mosaics in the central nave at Bethlehem. A second church was built above the older one during the 6th century with another more simple geometric mosaic floor.
qas: answers: text: Bethany
question: Where would the Byzantine church of the Lazarium be located today?

answers: text: between 333 and 390
question: When was the Byzantine church of the Lazarium constructed?

answers: text: Palestine
question: The mosaic at the Byzantine church of the Lazarium most closely resembles mosaics from which area?

answers: text: the 6th
question: A church was built on top of the Byzantine church of the Lazarium in waht century?

context: The monastic communities of the Judean Desert also decorated their monasteries with mosaic floors. The Monastery of Martyrius was founded in the end of the 5th century and it was re-discovered in 1982–85. The most important work of art here is the intact geometric mosaic floor of the refectory although the severely damaged church floor was similarly rich. The mosaics in the church of the nearby Monastery of Euthymius are of later date (discovered in 1930). They were laid down in the Umayyad era, after a devastating earthquake in 659. Two six pointed stars and a red chalice are the most important surviving features.
qas: answers: text: the Judean
question: The churches of which desert decorated their monasteries with mosaics?

answers: text: the end of the 5th century
question: When was the Monastery of Martyrius created?

answers: text: in 1982–85
question: When was the Monastery of Martyrius re-discovered?

answers: text: the refectory
question: Where in the Monastery of Martyrius is the most important mosaic work?

answers: text: Monastery of Euthymius
question: What was the name of the monastery that was discovered in 1930?

context: Mosaic art also flourished in Christian Petra where three Byzantine churches were discovered. The most important one was uncovered in 1990. It is known that the walls were also covered with golden glass mosaics but only the floor panels survived as usual. The mosaic of the seasons in the southern aisle is from this first building period from the middle of the 5th century. In the first half of the 6th century the mosaics of the northern aisle and the eastern end of the southern aisle were installed. They depict native as well as exotic or mythological animals, and personifications of the Seasons, Ocean, Earth and Wisdom.
qas: answers: text: three
question: How many Christian churches have been found in the Christian Petra?

answers: text: in 1990
question: When was the most important Byzantine church re-discovered?

answers: text: only the floor panels
question: What type of mosaics were present in the church discovered in 1990?

answers: text: the 5th
question: What century was the oldest known mosaic at the church discovered in 1990?

answers: text: exotic
question: The scenes depicted on the mosaics were both native and what kind of mythological animals?

context: The mosaics of the Church of St Stephen in ancient Kastron Mefaa (now Umm ar-Rasas) were made in 785 (discovered after 1986). The perfectly preserved mosaic floor is the largest one in Jordan. On the central panel hunting and fishing scenes are depicted while another panel illustrates the most important cities of the region. The frame of the mosaic is especially decorative. Six mosaic masters signed the work: Staurachios from Esbus, Euremios, Elias, Constantinus, Germanus and Abdela. It overlays another, damaged, mosaic floor of the earlier (587) "Church of Bishop Sergius." Another four churches were excavated nearby with traces of mosaic decoration.
qas: answers: text: Umm ar-Rasas
question: Where would the Church of St Stephen be located today?

answers: text: in 785
question: When were the mosaics in the Church of St Stephen created?

answers: text: 1986
question: When were the mosaics in the Church of St Stephen re-discovered?

answers: text: Jordan
question: The mosaic floor in the Church of St Stephen is the largest in what country?

answers: text: Six
question: How many artists signed the frame of the mosaic at the Church of St Stephen?

context: The craft has also been popular in early medieval Rus, inherited as part of the Byzantine tradition. Yaroslav, the Grand Prince of the Kievan Rus' built a large cathedral in his capital, Kiev. The model of the church was the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, and it was also called Saint Sophia Cathedral. It was built mainly by Byzantine master craftsmen, sent by Constantine Monomachos, between 1037 and 1046. Naturally the more important surfaces in the interior were decorated with golden mosaics. In the dome we can see the traditional stern Pantokrator supported by angels. Between the 12 windows of the drum were apostles and the four evangelists on the pendentives. The apse is dominated by an orant Theotokos with a Deesis in three medallions above. Below is a Communion of the Apostles.
qas: answers: text: Grand Prince of the Kievan Rus'
question: Yaroslav held what title in medieval Russia?

answers: text: Kiev
question: Where did Yaroslav build his Cathedral?

answers: text: the Hagia Sophia
question: What was used as a model for the church Yaroslav commissioned?

answers: text: Saint Sophia Cathedral
question: What was the name of the church Yaroslav commissioned?

answers: text: Constantine Monomachos
question: Who sent the Byzantine craftsmen that built Yaroslav's cathedral?

context: The apse mosaic of the Gelati Monastery is a rare example of mosaic use in Georgia. Began by king David IV and completed by his son Demetrius I of Georgia, the fragmentary panel depicts Theotokos flanked by two archangels. The use of mosaic in Gelati attests to some Byzantine influence in the country and was a demonstration of the imperial ambition of the Bagrationids. The mosaic covered church could compete in magnificence with the churches of Constantinople. Gelati is one of few mosaic creations which survived in Georgia but fragments prove that the early churches of Pitsunda and Tsromi were also decorated with mosaic as well as other, lesser known sites. The destroyed 6th century mosaic floors in the Pitsunda Cathedral have been inspired by Roman prototypes. In Tsromi the tesserae are still visible on the walls of the 7th-century church but only faint lines hint at the original scheme. Its central figure was Christ standing and displaying a scroll with Georgian text.
qas: answers: text: Georgia
question: In what country is the the Gelati Monastery located?

answers: text: king David IV
question: Who started construction on the Gelati Monastery?

answers: text: Demetrius I of Georgia
question: Who eventually oversaw completion of the Gelati Monastery?

answers: text: Christ
question: Who was the central theme of the mosaics at Tsromi?

context: The remains of a 6th-century synagogue have been uncovered in Sepphoris, which was an important centre of Jewish culture between the 3rd–7th centuries and a multicultural town inhabited by Jews, Christians and pagans. The mosaic reflects an interesting fusion of Jewish and pagan beliefs. In the center of the floor the zodiac wheel was depicted. Helios sits in the middle, in his sun chariot, and each zodiac is matched with a Jewish month. Along the sides of the mosaic are strips depicting Biblical scenes, such as the binding of Isaac, as well as traditional rituals, including a burnt sacrifice and the offering of fruits and grains.
qas: answers: text: a 6th-century synagogue
question: The remains of what was found at Sepphoris?

answers: text: Jews
question: Who were the primary inhabitants of Sepphoris in the 3rd through 7th centuries?

answers: text: pagan
question: The mosaic found at Sepphoris display a mix of Jewish and which beliefs?

answers: text: Helios
question: What figure is dominant in the mosaic at Sepphoris?

answers: text: a Jewish month
question: What surrounds Helios in the mosaic at Sepphoris?

context: The synagogue in Eshtemoa (As-Samu) was built around the 4th century. The mosaic floor is decorated with only floral and geometric patterns. The synagogue in Khirbet Susiya (excavated in 1971–72, founded in the end of the 4th century) has three mosaic panels, the eastern one depicting a Torah shrine, two menorahs, a lulav and an etrog with columns, deer and rams. The central panel is geometric while the western one is seriously damaged but it has been suggested that it depicted Daniel in the lion’s den. The Roman synagogue in Ein Gedi was remodeled in the Byzantine era and a more elaborate mosaic floor was laid down above the older white panels. The usual geometric design was enriched with birds in the center. It includes the names of the signs of the zodiac and important figures from the Jewish past but not their images suggesting that it served a rather conservative community.
qas: answers: text: around the 4th century
question: When was the synagogue in Eshtemoa constructed?

answers: text: only floral and geometric
question: What patterns are present on the mosaic at the synagogue in Eshtemoa?

answers: text: in 1971–72
question: When was the synagogue in Khirbet Susiya re-discovered?

answers: text: three
question: How many panels are in the synagogue in Khirbet Susiya?

answers: text: rather conservative
question: What do the images at synagogue in Khirbet Susiya suggest about the communities views?

context: The ban on figurative depiction was not taken so seriously by the Jews living in Byzantine Gaza. In 1966 remains of a synagogue were found in the ancient harbour area. Its mosaic floor depicts King David as Orpheus, identified by his name in Hebrew letters. Near him were lion cubs, a giraffe and a snake listening to him playing a lyre. A further portion of the floor was divided by medallions formed by vine leaves, each of which contains an animal: a lioness suckling her cub, a giraffe, peacocks, panthers, bears, a zebra and so on. The floor was paved in 508/509. It is very similar to that of the synagogue at Maon (Menois) and the Christian church at Shellal, suggesting that the same artist most probably worked at all three places.
qas: answers: text: figurative depiction
question: In Byzantine Gaza, Jews were relaxed on what ban?

answers: text: in the ancient harbour area
question: Where were ancient remains of a synagogue found in 1966?

answers: text: King David as Orpheus
question: The mosaic found in 1966 depicts who as the central figure?

answers: text: playing a lyre
question: What is the central figure doing in the mosaic found in 1966?

answers: text: in 508/509
question: When was the mosaic floor constructed?

context: A 5th-century building in Huldah may be a Samaritan synagogue. Its mosaic floor contains typical Jewish symbols (menorah, lulav, etrog) but the inscriptions are Greek. Another Samaritan synagogue with a mosaic floor was located in Bet She'an (excavated in 1960). The floor had only decorative motifs and an aedicule (shrine) with cultic symbols. The ban on human or animal images was more strictly observed by the Samaritans than their Jewish neighbours in the same town (see above). The mosaic was laid by the same masters who made the floor of the Beit Alfa synagogue. One of the inscriptions was written in Samaritan script.
qas: answers: text: a Samaritan synagogue
question: A 5th-century building in Huldah is believed to be what?

answers: text: typical Jewish symbols
question: What does the mosaic at Huldah contain?

answers: text: Greek
question: What language are the inscriptions on the mosaic at Huldah?

answers: text: cultic
question: The synagogue located in Bet She'an had what kind of symbols depicted in its mosaic?

answers: text: the floor of the Beit Alfa synagogue
question: The masters who built the floor in the synagogue at Bet She'an also constructed what other mosaic?

context: Islamic architecture used mosaic technique to decorate religious buildings and palaces after the Muslim conquests of the eastern provinces of the Byzantine Empire. In Syria and Egypt the Arabs were influenced by the great tradition of Roman and Early Christian mosaic art. During the Umayyad Dynasty mosaic making remained a flourishing art form in Islamic culture and it is continued in the art of zellige and azulejo in various parts of the Arab world, although tile was to become the main Islamic form of wall decoration.
qas: answers: text: Muslim
question: Who conquered the Eastern Provinces of the Byzantine empire?

answers: text: tile
question: What would later become the main Islamic form of wall decoration?

answers: text: Roman
question: In Syria and Egypt, other than early Christians, who influenced their mosaic work?

answers: text: remained a flourishing art form
question: The Umayyad Dynasty made mosaic making do what in the Islamic culture?

context: The most important early Islamic mosaic work is the decoration of the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, then capital of the Arab Caliphate. The mosque was built between 706 and 715. The caliph obtained 200 skilled workers from the Byzantine Emperor to decorate the building. This is evidenced by the partly Byzantine style of the decoration. The mosaics of the inner courtyard depict Paradise with beautiful trees, flowers and small hill towns and villages in the background. The mosaics include no human figures, which makes them different from the otherwise similar contemporary Byzantine works. The biggest continuous section survives under the western arcade of the courtyard, called the "Barada Panel" after the river Barada. It is thought that the mosque used to have the largest gold mosaic in the world, at over 4 m2. In 1893 a fire damaged the mosque extensively, and many mosaics were lost, although some have been restored since.
qas: answers: text: the Umayyad Mosque
question: Where is the most important Islamic mosaic work?

answers: text: Damascus
question: Where is the the Umayyad Mosque located?

answers: text: capital of the Arab Caliphate
question: What was the significance of Damascus during this time period?

answers: text: the "Barada Panel"
question: What is the largest section of mosaic still present in the Umayyad Mosque?

answers: text: a fire
question: What happened in 1893 that destroyed most of the mosaics in the mosque?

context: Non-religious Umayyad mosaic works were mainly floor panels which decorated the palaces of the caliphs and other high-ranking officials. They were closely modeled after the mosaics of the Roman country villas, once common in the Eastern Mediterranean. The most superb example can be found in the bath house of Hisham's Palace, Palestine which was made around 744. The main panel depicts a large tree and underneath it a lion attacking a deer (right side) and two deers peacefully grazing (left side). The panel probably represents good and bad governance. Mosaics with classical geometric motifs survived in the bath area of the 8th-century Umayyad palace complex in Anjar, Lebanon. The luxurious desert residence of Al-Walid II in Qasr al-Hallabat (in present-day Jordan) was also decorated with floor mosaics that show a high level of technical skill. The best preserved panel at Hallabat is divided by a Tree of Life flanked by "good" animals on one side and "bad" animals on the other. Among the Hallabat representations are vine scrolls, grapes, pomegranates, oryx, wolves, hares, a leopard, pairs of partridges, fish, bulls, ostriches, rabbits, rams, goats, lions and a snake. At Qastal, near Amman, excavations in 2000 uncovered the earliest known Umayyad mosaics in present-day Jordan, dating probably from the caliphate of Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan (685–705). They cover much of the floor of a finely decorated building that probably served as the palace of a local governor. The Qastal mosaics depict geometrical patterns, trees, animals, fruits and rosettes. Except for the open courtyard, entrance and staircases, the floors of the entire palace were covered in mosaics.
qas: answers: text: floor panels
question: Any mosaic having secular designs were likely what?

answers: text: Roman country villas
question: What were the floor panels of the caliphs and high ranking officials modeled after?

answers: text: the bath house of Hisham's Palace
question: Where can the most superb example of Umayyad mosaic floor paneling?

answers: text: Jordan
question: In which present day country would the residence of Al-Walid II in Qasr al-Hallabat be?

answers: text: Umayyad mosaics
question: At Qastal in 2000 the earliest examples of what were found in Jordan?

context: Some of the best examples of later Islamic mosaics were produced in Moorish Spain. The golden mosaics in the mihrab and the central dome of the Great Mosque in Corduba have a decidedly Byzantine character. They were made between 965 and 970 by local craftsmen, supervised by a master mosaicist from Constantinople, who was sent by the Byzantine Emperor to the Umayyad Caliph of Spain. The decoration is composed of colorful floral arabesques and wide bands of Arab calligraphy. The mosaics were purported to evoke the glamour of the Great Mosque in Damascus, which was lost for the Umayyad family.
qas: answers: text: Moorish Spain
question: Where are some of the best examples of islamic mosaic work found?

answers: text: Byzantine
question: The mosaics in the Great Mosque in Corduba have what kind of style?

answers: text: the Byzantine Emperor
question: Who sent the master mosaicist to Spain?

answers: text: between 965 and 970
question: When were the mosaics in the Great Mosque in Corduba created?

answers: text: local craftsmen
question: Who created the mosaics in the Great Mosque in Corduba?

context: Noted 19th-century mosaics include those by Edward Burne-Jones at St Pauls within the Walls in Rome. Another modern mosaic of note is the world's largest mosaic installation located at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, located in St. Louis, Missouri. A modern example of mosaic is the Museum of Natural History station of the New York City Subway (there are many such works of art scattered throughout the New York City subway system, though many IND stations are usually designed with bland mosaics.) Another example of mosaics in ordinary surroundings is the use of locally themed mosaics in some restrooms in the rest areas along some Texas interstate highways.
qas: answers: text: mosaic installation
question: The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis holds the largest what?

answers: text: the rest areas
question: What along texas interstate Highways contains everyday examples of mosaics?

answers: text: the Museum of Natural History station
question: Which station in the NYC subway has a modern example of mosaic?

answers: text: 19th
question: Edward Burne-Jones is noted for creating mosaics in what century?

context: In styles that owe as much to videogame pixel art and popculture as to traditional mosaic, street art has seen a novel reinvention and expansion of mosaic artwork. The most prominent artist working with mosaics in street art is the French Invader. He has done almost all his work in two very distinct mosaic styles, the first of which are small "traditional" tile mosaics of 8 bit video game character, installed in cities across the globe, and the second of which are a style he refers to as "Rubikcubism", which uses a kind of dual layer mosaic via grids of scrambled Rubik's Cubes. Although he is the most prominent, other street and urban artists do work in Mosaic styles as well.
qas: answers: text: street art
question: What has recently seen an expansion of mosaic artwork?

answers: text: the French Invader
question: Who is the most famous street artist who works with mosaics?

answers: text: 8 bit video game character
question: What does the French Invader usually create with the traditional style of mosaic?

answers: text: Rubikcubism
question: The French invader coined his own style of mosaic named what?

answers: text: grids of scrambled Rubik's Cubes
question: How does the French Invader create "Rubikcubism" styled mosaics?

context: Portuguese pavement (in Portuguese, Calçada Portuguesa) is a kind of two-tone stone mosaic paving created in Portugal, and common throughout the Lusosphere. Most commonly taking the form of geometric patterns from the simple to the complex, it also is used to create complex pictorial mosaics in styles ranging from iconography to classicism and even modern design. In Portuguese-speaking countries, many cities have a large amount of their sidewalks and even, though far more occasionally, streets done in this mosaic form. Lisbon in particular maintains almost all walkways in this style.
qas: answers: text: Lisbon
question: Which city has almost all of its sidewalks in Portuguese pavement?

answers: text: geometric
question: What is the most common pattern for Portuguese pavement?

answers: text: Calçada Portuguesa
question: Portuguese pavement is known by what other name?

answers: text: streets
question: What other cityscape is done with Portuguese pavement?

answers: text: two-tone stone mosaic paving
question: What is Portuguese pavement?

context: The indirect method of applying tesserae is often used for very large projects, projects with repetitive elements or for areas needing site specific shapes. Tiles are applied face-down to a backing paper using an adhesive, and later transferred onto walls, floors or craft projects. This method is most useful for extremely large projects as it gives the maker time to rework areas, allows the cementing of the tiles to the backing panel to be carried out quickly in one operation and helps ensure that the front surfaces of the mosaic tiles and mosaic pieces are flat and in the same plane on the front, even when using tiles and pieces of differing thicknesses. Mosaic murals, benches and tabletops are some of the items usually made using the indirect method, as it results in a smoother and more even surface.
qas: answers: text: face-down to a backing paper
question: How were larger mosaics usually constructed?

answers: text: gives the maker time to rework
question: Why was adding a step i production useful for larger projects?

answers: text: the indirect method
question: What is the style called of putting tessere on a backing paper?

answers: text: murals
question: What besides benches and tabletops was usually created using the indirect method?

answers: text: repetitive
question: The indirect method also helped for projects with what kinds of areas?

context: The double indirect method can be used when it is important to see the work during the creation process as it will appear when completed. The tesserae are placed face-up on a medium (often adhesive-backed paper, sticky plastic or soft lime or putty) as it will appear when installed. When the mosaic is complete, a similar medium is placed atop it. The piece is then turned over, the original underlying material is carefully removed, and the piece is installed as in the indirect method described above. In comparison to the indirect method, this is a complex system to use and requires great skill on the part of the operator, to avoid damaging the work. Its greatest advantage lies in the possibility of the operator directly controlling the final result of the work, which is important e.g. when the human figure is involved. This method was created in 1989 by Maurizio Placuzzi and registered for industrial use (patent n. 0000222556) under the name of his company, Sicis International Srl, now Sicis The Art Mosaic Factory Srl.
qas: answers: text: when it is important to see the work
question: When is the double indirect method of mosaic useful?

answers: text: directly controlling the final result of the work
question: What is the most powerful aspect of the double indirect method?

answers: text: 1989
question: When was the double indirect method invented?

answers: text: Maurizio Placuzzi
question: Who invented the double indirect method?

answers: text: sticky plastic
question: What is used as a backing adhesive for the double indirect method besides putty or paper?

context: A tile mosaic is a digital image made up of individual tiles, arranged in a non-overlapping fashion, e.g. to make a static image on a shower room or bathing pool floor, by breaking the image down into square pixels formed from ceramic tiles (a typical size is 1 in × 1 in (25 mm × 25 mm), as for example, on the floor of the University of Toronto pool, though sometimes larger tiles such as 2 in × 2 in (51 mm × 51 mm) are used). These digital images are coarse in resolution and often simply express text, such as the depth of the pool in various places, but some such digital images are used to show a sunset or other beach theme.
qas: answers: text: 1 in × 1 in
question: What is the typical size of a ceramic mosaic tile?

answers: text: express text
question: What is usually the purpose of a tile mosaic in pools?

answers: text: on a shower room or bathing pool floor
question: Where is the most common application of tile mosaics?

answers: text: in a non-overlapping fashion
question: How should the tiles be aligned next to each other?

context: With high cost of labor in developed countries, production automation has become increasingly popular. Rather than being assembled by hand, mosaics designed using computer aided design (CAD) software can be assembled by a robot. Production can be greater than 10 times faster with higher accuracy. But these "computer" mosaics have a different look than hand-made "artisanal" mosaics. With robotic production, colored tiles are loaded into buffers, and then the robot picks and places tiles individually according to a command file from the design software.
qas: answers: text: high cost of labor in developed countries
question: Why has production automation become popular?

answers: text: CAD
question: Which software can aid in the design of robotically created mosaics?

answers: text: 10 times faster
question: How much faster is automated creation over handmade?

answers: text: a command file
question: How does the robot pick the tiles it places?

answers: text: different look
question: What is not the same between hand made and robotic amde mosaics?