Walks in Rome (Est. 2001)
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WALKING TOURS OF ROME

The Finest Mosaic in Rome

14/5/2019

 
Map
Coronation of the Virgin Mary, Mosaic by Jacopo Torriti, Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome
Coronation of the Virgin Mary

Santa Maria Maggiore (St Mary Major), one of the four papal basilicas, was built by Pope Sixtus III (r. 432-440) shortly after the Council of Ephesus (431) agreed to promote the veneration of the Virgin Mary as the Mother of God.

​The mosaic in the apse of the church, which has been hailed as the finest in Rome, depicts the Coronation of the Virgin Mary. It is the work of Jacopo Torriti and was completed in 1296.

In the centre of the mosaic Mary shares a throne with Christ, who solemnly places a jewelled crown on her head. The scene is set in a roundel with a star-studded blue background representing the firmament, with the sun and the moon beneath their feet. 

​Christ's crowning of Mary is being witnessed by a host of angels and saints. Pope Nicholas IV (r. 1288-92) and Cardinal Jacopo Colonna have also inveigled an invitation.

​The mosaic is signed in the left hand corner: IACOB(U)S TORRITI PICTOR H(OC) OP(US) MOSAIC(UM) FEC(IT).


In the lower apse are a series of mosaics depicting scenes from the life of Mary. Directly below the Coronation is the Dormition of the Virgin. Mary is lying on a bed, flanked by the Apostles, as a host of angels prepare to transport her body to Heaven. Jesus cradles her soul in his arms, while at the base of the bed two diminutive Franciscans and a layman kneel in prayer. 

Coronation of the Virgin Mary, Mosaic by Jacopo Torriti, Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome
Coronation of the Virgin Mary by Jacopo Torriti
Picture
St Francis, St Paul, St Peter & Pope Nicholas IV.
Picture
Cardinal Colonna, St John the Baptist, St John the Evangelist & St Anthony
Dormition of the Virgin Mary, mosaic in church of Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome
Dormition of the Virgin Mary

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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
  • Contact
  • Rome
  • 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
    • Monuments >
      • Countess Matilda of Canossa
      • Maria Clementina Sobieska
      • Queen Christina of Sweden
      • Pope Innocent VIII
      • Pope Paul III
      • Pope Gregory XIII
      • Pope Gregory XIV
      • Pope Leo XI
      • Pope Urban VIII
      • Pope Alexander VII
      • Pope Clement X
      • Pope Innocent XI
      • Pope Alexander VIII
      • Pope Innocent XII
      • Pope Benedict XIV
      • Pope Clement XIII
      • Pope Pius VII
      • Pope Leo XII
      • Pope Pius VIII
      • Pope Gregory XVI
      • Pope Pius X
      • Pope Benedict XV
      • Pope Pius XI
      • Pope Pius XII
      • Pope John XXIII
      • 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
    • St Peter
    • Chapel of the Choir
    • Chapel of the Baptistery
    • Nave
  • Sistine Chapel
    • North Wall
    • South Wall
    • East Wall
    • Ceiling: Part One >
      • Ceiling: Part Two
      • Ceiling: Part Three
    • The Last Judgement
  • Fountains
    • Trevi Fountain
    • Fontana della Barcaccia
    • Fountain of the Triton
    • Fountain of the Bees
    • Fountain of Moses
    • Fountain of the Four Rivers
    • Fountain of the Acqua Paola
    • 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
    • Piazzas >
      • Piazza del Campidglio
      • Piazza del Quirinale
      • Piazza del Popolo
      • Piazza di Spagna
      • Piazza Navona
      • Piazza S. M. in Trastevere
      • Piazza San Pietro
    • Mosaics
    • Fountains
    • Churches
    • Ancient Rome
    • Palaces
    • Domes
    • Papal Coats of Arms
    • Street Shrines
    • Old Photographs
    • Borromini & the Baroque
  • Images of the Eternal City