romikgosai/squad_modified_2 huggingface dataset:
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.

Q1: When was the last period of Roman mosaic art?
A1: the 12th–13th century
Q2: Where is the church of Santa maria?
A2: Trastevere
Q3: Who does the facade at the Santa Maria church depict?
A3: Christ and Mary
Q4: When were the mosaics at Torriti and Jacopo fully restored?
A4: in 1884
Q5: What year was the medallion above the gate of the church of San Tommaso?
A5: 1210
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.

Q1: Who created the Navicella mosaic in the Old St. Peter's church?
A1: Giotto di Bondone
Q2: Who commissioned the Navicella mosaic?
A2: Cardinal Jacopo Stefaneschi
Q3: Who did the navicella mosaic depict walking on water?
A3: St. Peter
Q4: What century was the majority of the Navicella mosaic destroyed?
A4: the 17th
Q5: Navicella means what in Italian?
A5: "little ship"
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.

Q1: Why did the Normans adopt a Byzantine art style?
A1: enhance the somewhat dubious legality of their rule
Q2: when was the height of mosaic art in sicily?
A2: the 12th century
Q3: Who was influenced by Western European and Islamic tendencies?
A3: Greek masters working in Sicily
Q4: Who adopted the Byzantine mosaic tradition?
A4: Norman kings
Q5: The Martorana church is an example of the best mosaic art in what part italy?
A5: Sicily
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.

Q1: When was the Martorana church decorated?
A1: around 1143
Q2: Who is featured in the mosaic at the Martorana church?
A2: Christ
Q3: The Martorana church was likely decorated by the same greek masters who decorated which church?
A3: the Cappella Palatina
Q4: Who was the founder of the Martorana church?
A4: Georgios of Antiochia
Q5: Who is receiving a crown from christ in the mosaic originally in the narthex?
A5: Roger II
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.

Q1: What is the name of the largest mosaics in Italy?
A1: The Monreale mosaics
Q2: At least how many tesserae are used in the the Monreale mosaics?
A2: 100 million
Q3: Who commissioned the Monreale mosaics between 1176 and 1186?
A3: King William II of Sicily
Q4: Who is displayed getting crowned by christ in the Monreale mosaics?
A4: King William II
Q5: What is the king offering Theotokos in the Monreale mosaics?
A5: the model of the cathedral
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.

Q1: What region of italy was part of the Norman empire?
A1: Southern
Q2: The only surviving mosaic from Norman held souther Italy is what?
A2: pavement of the Otranto Cathedral
Q3: The mosaics in churches of Ravello prove what?
A3: mosaic art was widespread
Q4: What year were the mosaic pavements installed at the Otranto Cathedral?
A4: 1166
Q5: What survives from the mosaics of Amalfi's Norman Cathedral?
A5: Only fragments
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.

Q1: Which area in Italy besides Sicily did mosaic art not go out of fashion in the middle ages?
A1: Venice
Q2: Which church in Venice is decorated with elaborate golden mosaics?
A2: St Mark's Basilica
Q3: When were the oldest scenes in St. Mark's mosaics completed?
A3: the late 11th century
Q4: The majority of the mosaics in Venice were created by who?
A4: local artists
Q5: When was the sack of Constantinople?
A5: 1204
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.

Q1: Where is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta?
A1: Torcello
Q2: When were the mosaics in the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta built?
A2: the 12th century
Q3: Where is the Basilica of Santi Maria e Donato located?
A3: Murano
Q4: Who purchased the 13th century mosaic from the the San Cipriano Church?
A4: Frederick William IV of Prussia
Q5: Where did Frederick William IV relocate the mural he purchased?
A5: the Friedenskirche of Potsdam
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.

Q1: Who hired Byzantine experts to decorate a rebuilt abbey church?
A1: The Abbot of Monte Cassino
Q2: After what time did the Abbot of Monte Cassino send for Byzantine mosaicists?
A2: 1066
Q3: What animal was on the only surviving mosaics created by the greeks at the rebuilt abbey?
A3: greyhounds
Q4: Where are the only remaining greek mosaic panels now kept?
A4: in the Monte Cassino Museum
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).

Q1: What was special about St Mark's Basilica in Venice?
A1: façades were also decorated
Q2: When was the latest addition to the facade at St Mark's Basilica in Venice?
A2: from 1270–75
Q3: the Cathedral of Orvieto has a mosaic facade, done first in which century?
A3: the 14th
Q4: The Cathedral of Spoleto is signed by who?
A4: Solsternus
Q5: the Basilica di San Frediano in Lucca has a large golden mosaic facade depicting which figure?
A5: Christ
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.

Q1: What proves mosaics were used in the early middle ages?
A1: scant remains
Q2: Where is the Abbey of Saint-Martial?
A2: Limoges
Q3: When was the crypt of the Abbey of Saint-Martial re-discovered?
A3: the 1960s
Q4: What was found under the Basilica of Saint-Quentin?
A4: 9th century mosaic
Q5: What common element do mosaic panels from the 11th century have?
A5: simple colors
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.

Q1: What would replace the labor intensive technique of mosaic?
A1: fresco
Q2: When was the the mosaic at the Royal Basilica of Hungarian Kings destroyed?
A2: the 17th century
Q3: Who created the Last judgement mosaic in the St. Vitus Cathedral?
A3: Venetian craftsmen
Q4: What is the Royal Basilica of the Hungarian kings also known as?
A4: Alba Regia
Q5: Where is the Royal Basilica of the Hungarian kings?
A5: Székesfehérvár
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.

Q1: Where is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre located?
A1: Jerusalem
Q2: Where is the mosaic "Ascension of Christ" located?
A2: in the Latin Chapel
Q3: What nation influenced the Crusaders mosaic styles?
A3: Byzantine
Q4: What is the name of the lone surviving mosaic of the Crusader period?
A4: "Ascension of Christ"
Q5: The Byzantine emperor, the king of Jerusalem and the Latin Church came together in what year to redecorate the Church of the Holy Sepulchre?
A5: 1169
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.

Q1: when were mosaic pavements uncovered at the Bizere Monastery?
A1: 2003
Q2: Where would the Bizere Monastery be located today?
A2: Romania
Q3: When were the mosaics at Bizere Monastery created?
A3: between the 10th and 11th century
Q4: In what kingdom was the Bizere Monastery located?
A4: Hungary
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.

Q1: How is Raphael portrayed in St. Peter's?
A1: by a mosaic replica of this last painting
Q2: What year did Pietro Paolo Cristofari die?
A2: 1743
Q3: What was the art of the Fabbrica usually used for?
A3: papal gifts
Q4: What was the name of the painting used to represent raphael in St. Peter's?
A4: Transfiguration
Q5: The mosaics of St.Peter's are often based on what?
A5: designs or canvases
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

Q1: What is the most important mosaic piece built by Byzantine Christians?
A1: the Madaba Map
Q2: When was the the Madaba Map made?
A2: between 542 and 570
Q3: Where is the church of Saint George?
A3: Madaba, Jordan
Q4: When was the Madaba Map rediscovered?
A4: 1894
Q5: The Madaba Map depicts as far South as the Nile delta, and as far North as what country?
A5: Lebanon
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.

Q1: What era were the mosaics that adorned Saint Catherine's Monastery?
A1: Justinian
Q2: Where is Saint Catherine's Monastery located?
A2: Mount Sinai in Egypt
Q3: Why have wall mosaics generally not survived in the region?
A3: the destruction of buildings
Q4: Who is depicted in Saint Catherine's Monastery on a mosaic landscape background?
A4: Moses
Q5: When was the mosaic at Saint Catherine's Monastery created?
A5: in 565/6
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.

Q1: Which city had the highest percentage of mosaic covered churches?
A1: Jerusalem
Q2: Where was the Armenian Mosaic found in Jerusalem?
A2: near Damascus Gate
Q3: What type of plant is depicted in the Armenian Mosaic?
A3: a vine with many branches
Q4: When was the Armenian Mosaic re-discovered?
A4: 1894
Q5: What was the room under the Armenian Mosaic used for?
A5: mortuary chapel
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.

Q1: Where would the Byzantine church of the Lazarium be located today?
A1: Bethany
Q2: When was the Byzantine church of the Lazarium constructed?
A2: between 333 and 390
Q3: The mosaic at the Byzantine church of the Lazarium most closely resembles mosaics from which area?
A3: Palestine
Q4: A church was built on top of the Byzantine church of the Lazarium in waht century?
A4: the 6th
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.

Q1: The churches of which desert decorated their monasteries with mosaics?
A1: the Judean
Q2: When was the Monastery of Martyrius created?
A2: the end of the 5th century
Q3: When was the Monastery of Martyrius re-discovered?
A3: in 1982–85
Q4: Where in the Monastery of Martyrius is the most important mosaic work?
A4: the refectory
Q5: What was the name of the monastery that was discovered in 1930?
A5: Monastery of Euthymius
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.

Q1: How many Christian churches have been found in the Christian Petra?
A1: three
Q2: When was the most important Byzantine church re-discovered?
A2: in 1990
Q3: What type of mosaics were present in the church discovered in 1990?
A3: only the floor panels
Q4: What century was the oldest known mosaic at the church discovered in 1990?
A4: the 5th
Q5: The scenes depicted on the mosaics were both native and what kind of mythological animals?
A5: exotic
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.

Q1: Where would the Church of St Stephen be located today?
A1: Umm ar-Rasas
Q2: When were the mosaics in the Church of St Stephen created?
A2: in 785
Q3: When were the mosaics in the Church of St Stephen re-discovered?
A3: 1986
Q4: The mosaic floor in the Church of St Stephen is the largest in what country?
A4: Jordan
Q5: How many artists signed the frame of the mosaic at the Church of St Stephen?
A5: Six