I am fond of the analogy between tradition and one building in particular, the church of San Clemente in Rome, near the Colosseum. Apse mosaic, Basilica of San Clemente, Rome, 1130s (photo: James Stringer, CC BY-NC 2.0) Grafted onto this bucolic scene are explicitly Christian themes. the artist, until d. 1925; his sisters, Mrs. Francis Ormond (Violet Sargent) and Miss Emily Sargent, until 1936 (Emily Sargent's death); Mrs. Francis Ormond, until 1950 The apse mosaic, which sits above the high altar of San Clemente as the basilica’s crowning jewel, presents itself as a fitting subject for reflection as we celebrate the feast of Pope St. Clement on this Friday, November 23, 2012. The Apse at San Clemente is filled with symbolism and such magnificent beauty that it will leave you in a state of admiration. Hence, officially San Clemente refers to San Clemente a Monte Sacro and the basilica is San Clemente al Laterano. ( Log Out /  The two stags drinking there allude to Ps. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. It is referred to as “the mosaic in the apse of St. Clement’s Basilica.” However, also by consensus, it is also referred to as the Tree of Life. The Apostles are represented several different ways in the mosaic.  Tucciarone, Tracy. San Clemente, Rome. Like the one at St. John Lateran, this apse mosaic centers on a cross that relates to a vision of Paradise. It incorporated any number of familiar motifs from Early Christian mosaics, but combined them with distinctly medieval pictorial elements to create a new synthesis. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. The 12th-century mosaic of the crucifix in the apse of Rome’s basilica of San Clemente. Ecclesiam Christi viti similabimus isti de ligno crucis Jacobi dens, Ignatiiq[ue] insupra scripti requiescunt corpore Christi quam lex arentem, sed crux facit esse virentem. There are what seem to be endless amounts of symbols in this mosaic and each time you look at it there is something new to analyze. The Apse at San Clemente is filled with symbolism and such magnificent beauty that it will leave you in a state of admiration. [T]he glory of the apse is its glittering twelfth-century mosaic, a crucifixion in which Christ is surrounded on the cross by doves, while the cross itself rises from a luxuriant blue and green tree of life. The Romanesque churches of Tuscany: San Miniato in Florence and Pisa Cathedral. Media in category "San Clemente (Rome) - Apse" The following 25 files are in this category, out of 25 total. Apse mosaics, San Clemente, 12th century In the centre of the mosaic we see a symbolic crucifixion; the cross far larger than the figure of Christ around which vast doves, symbols of the Holy Spirit, roost. But San Clemente's mosaic merges the iconography of Paradise with images of the Church in the contemporary world. Twelfth century apse mosaic, Basilica of San Clemente, Rome – This exceptional mosaic vividly represents the image of the cross with vines, which was commonly depicted in the Middle Byzantine period. Due to the traditional golden halo around his head, Jesus can be found represented as a lamb in the center. Change ), Crucifix With Eight Stories From The Passion, http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/rome-san-clemente, http://www.aug.edu/augusta/iconography/sanClemente/apse.html. The mosaic in San Clemente was the first great apse mosaic to have been produced in Rome in roughly two hundred years. A few minutes walk up the road from the Colosseum (stop and peer over the railings into the remains of the Ludus Magnus – the gladiators’ barracks and practice arena) is the Basilica of St Clement. ( Log Out /  Jan 21, 2019 - Explore Joseph Sigur's board "Byzantine Mosaics" on Pinterest. As we prepare to celebrate the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross on September 14, my mind turns to my favourite crucifix: a 12th-century mosaic set in the apse of the church of San Clemente in Rome. Both are presented as loci of historical events, not as heavenly idealizations. Between the shepherds, peacocks, geese, ducks and deer lap up the healing waters from the four rivers of Paradise. File history. The Tree of Life (Apse Mosaic of San Clemente), c.1130, Mosaic, Basilica of San Clemente al Laterano, Rome, Scala / Art Resource, NY. The Apostles are again represented at the very bottom of the Mosaic as twelve sheep. ς Α΄ -Clemens I Romanus - Климент I - Pope Saint Clement I Photographed at the church by Richard Stracke, shared under Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license. Date/Time Thumbnail Dimensions User Comment; current: 22:27, 10 May 2017: 1,436 × 2,040 (1.01 MB) Pharos: GWToolset: Creating mediafile for Pharos. Above the two towns are Isaiah (left side) and Jeremiah (right side) and two pairs of saints: St. Lawrence and St. Paul on the left, St. Clement and St. Peter on the right. Rom, Basilika San Clemente, Apsis 3.jpg 3,034 × 2,286; 5.56 MB In Bethlehem we see an image of the boy Christ and of another boy running down a flight of stairs; in Jerusalem a cross and a cock remind viewers that this city was the scene of the Crucifixion and of Peter's denial. Read more about crosses and lambs in Christian symbolism. 12th or 13th century But San Clemente's mosaic merges the iconography of Paradise with images of the Church in the contemporary world. According to ancient beliefs, the Peacock had pure immortal flesh, which is exactly why it became associated with the resurrection of Christ. Hayes, Holly. This scene comes directly from the verse Psalms 42:1, “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.”  If you look closely behind the deer there are two peacocks, one on each side of the mosaic. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Underneath the tree of Life, there are four streams of water coming out of the tree that signifies the four rivers of Eden. Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death, PREVIOUS                              NEXT. The Apse at San Clemente, Rome The Apse Mosaic at San Clemente Like the one at St. John Lateran, this apse mosaic centers on a cross that relates to a vision of Paradise. 2011. http://www.aug.edu/augusta/iconography/sanClemente/apse.html (accessed 2011). The risen and regnant Christ is above the entire work, in a medallion over the highest point of the arch. Branching out from the tree on both sides are swirling vines that cover the entire mosaic branching out to all of humanity. http://www.fisheaters.com/symbols.html (accessed December 3, 2011). It was deliberately done in an 'antique' style, using symbols and designs inspired by the earliest Christian art in the catacombs. The Basilica of San Clemente, located in the heart of medieval Rome, is an example of this faithful copying. Read more about stag symbolism. Read more about Saints Peter, Paul, and Clement. Apse mosaic, Basilica of San Clemente, Rome, 1130s (photo: James Stringer, CC BY-NC 2.0) Grafted onto this bucolic scene are explicitly Christian themes. Our mission is to provide a free, world-class education to anyone, anywhere. Start studying Symbolisms of "tree of life" - apse mosaic in San Clemente, Rome. Once inside, you can not miss the beautifully painted ceiling or the original golden mosaic strikingly lit up in the apse. ( Log Out /  Even the exact date remains a mystery as it could have been completed anytime during the early to mid 12th century AD. It incorporated any number of familiar motifs from Early Christian mosaics, but combined them with distinctly medieval pictorial elements to create a new synthesis. In the Catholic faith doves are symbols of peace and is a sign of the Holy Spirit filling the earth on Pentecost. A sample of the symbols in this mosaic alone include: Lamb of God (center) = Jesus Twelve lambs (bottom) = twelve tribes of Israel, twelve apostles Between the shepherds, peacocks, geese, ducks and deer lap up the healing waters from the four rivers of Paradise. First, the apostles appear as doves surrounding Jesus on the cross. ( Log Out /  The Apse Mosaic at San Clemente: Detail, Tree of Life, stags at streams, Lamb of God As usual, the number of streams is four, reflecting the four rivers in the Garden of Eden. The central lamb has a cruciform halo, symbolizing Christ. This is the currently selected item. Eventually rebuilt, the top tier of the Basilica of San Clemente was completed during the 12th Century. The hand of God reaches down from the jewelled heavens to complete the Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Largely due to the Norman Sack of Rome, this mid-level church was severely damaged in 1084 AD. Located at the base of the cross you will notice a tree, considered to be the tree of life. Romanesque art in Spain. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. File usage. Where the apse meets the flat surface of the east end of the nave, the mosaic represents Bethlehem on the left and Jerusalem on the right. Commentary by . … The center of the mosaic is a complete crucifixion scene with the Virgin Mary on Jesus’ right and John on the left. The tree of life is a reference from Revelations 22:2. “On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. The Second Tree of Life. 42:1, "As the hart panteth after the fountains of water; so my soul panteth after thee, O God." The church we see from the street today was built in 1108 AD. The apse of San Clemente's upper church dates to the 1120s and was probably executed by artisans from Byzantium. Where the apse meets the flat surface of the east end of the nave, the mosaic represents Bethlehem on the left and Jerusalem on the right. In the body of Christ above this inscription rest [some] wood from the Cross, a tooth of James, and of Ignatius." The mosaic at San Clemente Church in in Rome is located in the apse of the church. Twelve sheep face the … It is traced in mosaic in the apse of the ancient church of St. Clemente, one of the most remarkable and yet one of the most typically Roman of churches; for it descends below into a stratification of dead churches and pagan foundations. The vine grows out of the tree at the base of the cross, from which flow the four rivers of Eden. Jesus used the metaphor of sheep throughout the New Testament and was also referred to as the Lamb of God. Some may even refer to the cross itself as being the tree of life which can be seen with the way the cross emerges out of the tree and is then wrapped with the vines. The focal point of the apse mosaic is the cross, which is planted in a font from which flow water and grows two large vines. For Christians visiting Rome, the mosaic in San Clemente (or at other churches), is a fun way to inventory Christian symbols and their meaning. The church site of San Clemente in Rome has a history dating back to the first century AD, when it was a nobleman’s house and the site of clandestine Christian worship services. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.” Through the crucifixion people of all nations are saved. One of the best-known representations of the Cross as the 'Tree of Life' is the 12th century mosiac in the Basilica of San Clemente, Rome.Where the Cross penetrates the earth a luxuriant tree bursts forth and sends its branches far and wide, covering the entire expanse of the apse. Both are presented as loci of historical events, not as heavenly idealizations.            PREVIOUS                              NEXT. Mosaic At first glance it seems as though the Apse is a jumbled mess surrounding a simple crucifixion scene, however, the symbolism is simply genius as every image and character depicted holds great importance. Below this inscription the apostles are represented by twelve sheep that face toward the Lamb of God, an image based on the Book of Revelation. So let us narrow our focus on the central meaning, and that is the Church is the Mystical Body of Christ. Apse Mosaic, San Clemente, Rome. There is a third church dedicated to the saint in Rome, San Clem… The Basilica of St. Clement (Basilica di San Clemente) is a unique church, definitely worth visiting for everyone who wants to feel that the “Eternal City” is not just a figure of speech but a reflection of reality.  Stracke, J.R. It is a mosaic consisting of mainly green and gold tesserae placed irregularly to intensify the shining of the gold pieces. An excerpt from our longer film, Empire of the Cross; this segment focuses on the stunning and intricate apse mosaic in the historic Basilica of San Clemente in Rome. Church of San Clemente, Rome. Masolino da Panicale filled this mosaic with early Christian symbolism, which makes for a very interesting piece to observe and to reflect upon. See more ideas about byzantine mosaic, byzantine, byzantine art. Previous Next. Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license. San Clemente Church – Apse mosaic, Rome, Italy Mosaic details in San Clemente church, Rome, Italy The ceiling of the Basilica di San Clemente Heavenly imagery appears in intertwined biblical scenes with the tree of life and the cross, saints and symbolic flora and fauna such as the twelve sheep (apostles) approaching the Lamb of God. At first glance it seems as though the Apse is a jumbled mess surrounding a simple crucifixion scene, however, the symbolism is simply genius as every image and character depicted holds great importance. It was made in the twelfth century and is similar to the christian mosaic style. Sort by: Top Voted. The cross itself is actually a complete crucifixion scene with Mary and St. John beside it and the hand of God the Father above, tendering a wreath of victory to Christ. Christian Symbols. Two deer are drinking these waters flowing out the tree of life. The peacock is also a popular symbol used by the Catholic Church and can be found all throughout early Christian art. The mosaic in San Clemente was the first great apse mosaic to have been produced in Rome in roughly two hundred years. May 10, 2010. http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/rome-san-clemente (accessed November 28, 2011). The Church of San Clemente in Rome. Next lesson. San Clemente In Rome. The Basilica of San Clemente, Rome. The Apse Mosaic at San Clemente. The vine is identified as the Church by an inscription along the band just above the sheep: Ecclesiam Christi viti similabimus isti de ligno crucis Jacobi dens, Ignatiiq[ue] insupra scripti requiescunt corpore Christi quam lex arentem, sed crux facit esse virentem, "We have likened the Church of Christ to this vine; the Law made it wither but the Cross made it bloom. Few people take any notice of this in real life -although the author of the Italian Wikipedia article has. Step into the latest church to admire its resplendent mosaics I encourage you to look at this picture of the Apse Mosaic of San Clemente and discover other symbols that Masolino da Panicale created and post them in the comment section below. The dedication is to Pope St Clement I. Jesus is the sacrificial lamb from God. Read more about Isaiah and Jeremiah. Psalm 42–43. The mosaic is drenched in so much symbolism, that it will take chapters to discuss them all. Although there is still speculation over who really painted the Apse at San Clemente, it is most commonly accepted that it is the work of Masolino da Panicale. The Basilica of Saint Clement (Italian: Basilica di San Clemente al Laterano) is a Roman Catholic minor basilica dedicated to Pope Clement I located in Rome, Italy. Click on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. Open in image viewer. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. The Diocese has a rule on church names, which gives priority to parish churches even over minor basilicas. Thus its most prominent feature is a vast vine studded with figures of lords and stewards, Doctors of the Church, and peasants (example) engaged in their daily tasks. ), you can not miss the beautifully painted ceiling or the original golden mosaic strikingly lit up in apse! 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