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Santa Maria in Trastevere: Mosaics

13/4/2019

 
Map
Christ and the Virgin Mary, mosaic in Santa Maria in Trastevere, Rome
Christ and the Virgin Mary, mosaic in Santa Maria in Trastevere

The exquisite mosaics in the semi-dome of the apse of Santa Maria in Trastevere date back to the reign of Pope Innocent II (r. 1130-43).  

Sitting side by side on the same throne, Christ tenderly embraces Mary. To their right stand St Peter, St Cornelius, St Julius and St Calepodius, and to their left, St Calixtus, St Lawrence and Innocent II. The pope holds a model of a church. 

On the choir arch we see, in addition to the emblems of the four Evangelists, two Old Testament prophets, Isaiah and Jeremiah. Above each prophet is a small caged bird, a curious image that symbolises Christ being imprisoned because of the sins of man ('...christus dominus captus est in peccatis nostris...': Lamentations, 4:20).

The six mosaics (c. 1291) depicting scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary are by the Roman painter and mosaicist, Pietro Cavallini (c.1250-c.1330).  The mosaics were commissioned by Bertoldo Stefaneschi, who is depicted in a mosaic being presented to the Virgin and Christ by St Peter. 

Mosaics, apse of Santa Maria in Trastevere, Rome
Mosaic, semi-dome of the apse of Santa Maria in Trastevere
Mosaics, apse of Santa Maria in Trastevere, Rome
Picture
Mosaic of the Prophet Isaiah, Santa Maria in Trastevere, Rome
Prophet Isaiah
Picture
The caged bird symbolises Christ imprisoned on account of the sins of man
Interior of Santa Maria in Trastevere, RomePicture
Interior of Santa Maria in Trastevere
Mosaic of Bertoldo Stefaneschi by Pietro Cavallini, Santa Maria in Trastevere, Rome
Mosaic of Bertoldo Stefaneschi
Birth of the Virgin, mosaic by Pietro Cavallini, Santa Maria in Trastevere, Rome
Birth of the Virgin
Mosaic of the Annunciation by Pietro Cavallini, Santa Maria in Trastevere, Rome
The Annunciation
Nativity of Christ, mosaic by Pietro Cavallini, Santa Maria in Trastevere, Rome
Nativity of Christ
Adoration of the Magi, mosaic by Pietro Cavallini, Santa Maria in Trastevere, Rome
Adoration of the Magi
Presentation of Christ in the Temple, mosaic by Pietro Cavallini, Santa Maria in Trastevere, Rome
Presentation of Christ in the Temple
Dormition of the Virgin, mosaic by Pietro Cavallini, Santa Maria in Trastevere, Rome
Death of the Virgin

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    Walking Tours For Discerning Travellers

    My name is David Lown and I am an art historian from Cambridge, England. Since 2001 I have lived in Italy, where I run private and
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  • Home
  • Private Tours
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  • Contact
  • Blog
  • St Peter's Basilica
    • Altars >
      • Altar of St Joseph
      • Altar of St Gregory the Great
      • Altar of the Madonna of Succour
      • Altar of St Sebastian
      • Altar of the Lie
      • Altar of the Presentation of the Virgin
      • Altar of St Jerome
      • Altar of the Transfiguration
      • Altar of Pope Leo the Great
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      • Countess Matilda of Canossa
      • Maria Clementina Sobieska
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      • The Stuarts
    • Portico >
      • Door of Death
      • Door of Good and Evil
      • Central Door
      • Door of the Sacraments
      • Holy Door
    • Pieta
    • Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament
    • Cathedra Petri
    • Crossing >
      • Baldacchino
      • Confessio
      • Dome
      • St Longinus
      • St Helena
      • St Veronica
      • St Andrew
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    • Chapel of the Baptistery
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      • Ceiling: Part Two
      • Ceiling: Part Three
    • The Last Judgement
  • Fountains
    • Trevi Fountain
    • Fontana della Barcaccia
    • Fountain of the Triton
    • Fountain of the Bees
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    • Fountain of the Turtles
    • Fountain of the Naiads
    • Fountain of the Cannonball
    • Piazza del Popolo
    • Fountain of the Pantheon
    • Fountains of Piazza Farnese
    • Fountain of Goddess Roma
    • Rioni Fountains
    • Street Fountains
    • Venice Marries the Sea
    • St Peter's Square
    • Fountain of the Moor
    • Fountain of Neptune
    • Fountain of the Porter
    • Fountain of the Seahorses
  • Gallery
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      • Piazza del Campidglio
      • Piazza del Quirinale
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