Unit 9: Rhythm, Repetition, and Pattern

Greco-Roman Mosaics

The earliest mosaics in the greco-roman world were made in Greece in the late 5th century BCE. These mosaics were made out of black and white pebbles. The original greek floor mosaics were two shades with geometric designs and simple figures on dark backgrounds, using pebbles. Floor mosaics were most common because they were less vulnerable when buildings collapsed. Mosaics transitioned to being made from cubes of stone, called tesserae, ceramic, or glass in the 3rd century BCE. Mosaics really took off as an art form during this period, and many attempted to copy contemporary paintings. The tesserae got smaller (4mm or less) and more precisely cut in the 2nd century BCE, as well as the first colored grouting. The first wall mosaics were made in Italy during the 1st century BCE, mostly out of glass, shells, or pumice. The majority of ancient mosaics were decorated with geometric or vegetal patterns, and in more important rooms, they depicted scenes from mythology or everyday life. The Romans dubbed the hellenistic approach which emphasized sea motifs and scenes from greek mythology. They developed preferences in designs such as large-scale hunting scenes, impressionistic vegetation, and a foreground observer. The dominant Roman style in Italy used black and white tesserae and represented marine motifs, especially when used in Roman baths. They also show a preference for 2D and geometric designs. The Eastern Empire used the 2D designs and repeated them to create a "carpet" effect. Opus signinum was when they made large pieces or flooring using a red mortar-aggregate and white tesserae, placed to create broad patterns. Opus sectile is when they used large colored stone or marble slabs cut into particular shapes.