It's the end of the year and I was organising some travel photos and discovered something. Over the past several years I've taken lots of unexpected photos of an art form I know very little about - one we don't see much in Australia, but which I keep tripping over, almost literally on my travels. Mosaics. They're not something we learned about in school art classes, and though I know what they are, it wasn't till I travelled elsewhere that I really discovered them. I love the fact they're tough, incredibly durable yet beautiful and created with such love.
How about this public path on a hill above the old town of Nice. Isn't it charming?
And now I think of it, I did have an artist heroine who was fascinated by them in my second sheikh romance. Maybe because I wanted to learn more myself.
Here's a touch of splendour in Paris: very regal an elegant.
Personally I loved this ancient Roman mosaic floor in Ostia, outside Rome. There's a whole terrace filled with mosaics advertising the traders who had their stores there.
And modern mosaics can be functional too. Take this one in the Black Forest town of Freiburg. The old town is full of mosaics of pretzels advertising bakeries, scissors for hairdressers, glasses for optometrists, etc.
Then there are the just plan cute, like this leopard in Rome, watching a couple of gladiators.
Or informative. Here's one of a series of mosaics in Breisach on the French, German border, explaining which government controlled the town at various times.
Do you have a hankering to try something in the new year that you've never attempted before? Maybe something artistic that you've never found time for in the past?
I'll leave you with Penelope, patiently weaving her tapestry of her husband's travels. She had such patience to weave it for ten years! Maybe that's what I need - patience to carve out time from all the busyness of life and patiently work at something new.
All the best for the festive season! See you in the new year!
Annie
Oh, how lovely, Annie! I love that Leopard in Rome. :-) I'm trying to think of any lovely mosaics I've seen -- the ones in the new Parliament House are pretty amazing.
ReplyDeleteSomething I'd really love to dive into next year is learning how to make my own clothes. I bought a sewing machine a few years back, but learning how to use it went on the back burner when I started the PhD. I do believe it's time to pull that little hankering out and dust it off. :-)
Oh, that would be such fun, Michelle. I remember the fun you had, starting to use the sewing machine. I hope you find time to expand your skills there.
DeleteIsn't the leopard terrific? He made me smile - far more than the men fighting beside him. Yes, the ones in parliament house are works of art!
I love this post, Annie, and your insights into the many and varied uses of mosaic. I am sure to pay better attention when I next see some on my travels. And I do think it may be a subliminal message; if not to take up the art of mosaic then simply to chronicle more on your many travels.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you liked the post, Bron. Yes, it could be some sort of message. Now I'm wondering what other themes are hidden in those photos. I need to take time to find out! Good luck on your travels - hope you visit some lovely places.
DeleteThese mosaics are beautiful. In Ravenna, in Emilia Romagna, there are many mosaics. It is a city famous for its ancient mosaics.
ReplyDeleteFranca, thanks so much for sharing photos of the Ravenna mosaics on my FB page! I've wanted to see them for a while and you've just made me even more eager.
DeleteHi Annie
ReplyDeleteThey really are lovely and yes I don't see many of them around here but I do think would be fun to do you could make different tiles and decorate a wall in your house, not sue if there is anything I am thinking of trying in the new year yet :)
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Have Fun
Helen
Hi Helen, I've seen some small mosaic wall plaques on sale that look terrific but I'm not sure if I'd have the skill to do it myself. It might be fun to try though.
DeleteMerry Christmas to you too! I hope it's a lovely time for you and your family.
Loved this post. I was amazed by the floors in the ancient ruins in Ephesus in Turkey. Slabs of white marble they used to stain with red wine to make pink. And huge segements of mosaics. Just breathtaking.
ReplyDeleteAmy, I loved those floors in Ephesus too! Didn't realised they'd used wine to stain the marble - how fascinating. Must go and see if I've got any photos of them.
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