Wall mosaic decoration of the Euphrasian Basilica ciborium, Annunciation

Poreč, Euphrasian Basilica, ciborium

Poreč, Euphrasian Basilica, ciborium

M

C

IT

684

C

CIDM

1

683

OBJECT

OBJECT

Definition

wall mosaic decoration

Identification

decorative complex

Name/Dedication

Wall mosaic decoration of the Euphrasian Basilica ciborium, Annunciation

Position

ciborium, western side

SUBJECT

SUBJECT

Identification

Euphrasian Basilica ciborium, Poreč – Annunciation

Iconographic description

In the left corner, there is an angel with a white and azure tunic and a red pallium standing in a green meadow with flowers and shrubs growing in it. In front of the figure of the angel, who stretches his arm towards the Virgin, a bent tree rises with two rounded green tops, loaded with white and red fruit. In the right corner, in an elevated position, there is the Virgin in front of a throne. The Virgin wears a white and azure tunic and a blue cloak; her attitude is modest and in her left hand she holds a key. In the background, two buildings appear, one of which has a dome, characterised by pronounced colouring. Next to Mary, a tree grows, also bent and with fruit, with a narrow and elongated top. The background of the entire scene is golden and uniform (PRELOG 2004, La basilica Eufrasiana a Parenzo, p. 26).

GEOGRAPHICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE LOCATION

Country

Croazia

City

Poreč

Locality

Parenzo

SPECIFIC LOCATION

Typology

church

Qualification

cathedral

Denomination

Euphrasian Basilica

Date

539 - 560

Address

Eufrazijeva ulica (Euphrasius Street)

Specific location

central nave, presbytery

Notes

The first stage of the building's construction may be dated back to around 313 AD. Later, the complex was repeatedly reconstructed and totally restored and decorated by Bishop Euphrasius between 539 and 560. The ciborium was commissioned by Bishop Otto in 1277 and was constructed on the 10th anniversary of Poreč's recognition of Venetian rule. The ciborium's artistic language (sculpture and mosaics) is that of the Venetian craftsmen working at that time in St. Mark's factory in Venice.

LOCATION AND PROPERTY DATA

Original location

yes

CHRONOLOGY

GENERAL CHRONOLOGY

Century

13.

SPECIFIC CHRONOLOGY

From

1277

ca.

To

1277

Validity

ca.

bibliography

PRELOG, MILAN La Basilica Eufrasiana a Parenzo

CULTURAL DEFINITION

AUTHOR

Name

Workers from Venice from the second half of the 13. century working at St. Mark's

Personal data/chronology

13. century

Grounds of basing the dates

bibliography

Abbreviation: short citation

DEMUS, OTTO The ciborium mosaics of Parenzo

Specific

p. 238-245

COMMISSIONER

Name

Otto

Date

13. century

Circumstance of the commission

construction of the ciborium

Notes

The marble ciborium, placed in 1277 in the apse of the Euphrasian Basilica, was commissioned by Bishop Otto. This is attested to by the inscription engraved on the western side of the ciborium.

SUPPORT

SUPPORT

Typology

fixed

Material

gravestone slab

Notes

The gravestone slabs are made of marble.

SUBGRADES

SUBGRADES

Notes

In the marble cornices, the mosaic was put into place on a layer of lime mortar.

TESSERAE

TESSERAE MATERIAL

Material

limestone

Color

white

Typology

natural

Use method

Used for certain parts of the faces of Mary and the angels, for parts of the garments and the bodies of the angels, and for certain architectural elements placed in the background behind the figure of the Virgin.

TESSERAE (2)

TESSERAE MATERIAL

Material

marble

Color

light grey

Typology

natural

Use method

Used for certain architectural elements placed in the background behind the figure of the Virgin in the Annunciation scene.

TESSERAE (3)

TESSERAE MATERIAL

Material

golden-plated glass

Color

gold

Typology

artificial

Use method

Used for the background of the scene.

TESSERAE (4)

TESSERAE MATERIAL

Material

marble

Color

black

Typology

natural

Use method

Used for the inscription of the scene.

SIZES OF ARTWORK

SIZES OF ARTWORK

Unit of measurement

cm

Height

407

Width

610

INSCRIPTIONS

INSCRIPTION

Class

descriptive

Language

Latin

Tecnique of writing

mosaic

Character type

capital and uncial letters

Position

above the depicted scene

Transcription

angelus inquit ave quo mundus solvitur ave

LEGAL STATUS AND RESTRICTION

LEGAL STATUS

General indication

property of the clergy

Specific indication

Dioceses of Poreč-Pula

Address

Trg J. Dobrile 2, Porec (J. Dobrile Square 2, Poreč)

DOCUMENTARY & INFORMATIVE SOURCES

IMAGES

pa_be_004-med.jpg

Poreč, Euphrasian Basilica, ciborium

IMAGES

pa_be_008-med.jpg

Poreč, Euphrasian Basilica, ciborium, western side

IMAGES

pa_be_007-med.jpg

Poreč, Euphrasian Basilica, ciborium, Annunciation, Angel of the Annunciation

IMAGES

pa_be_006-med.jpg

Poreč, Euphrasian Basilica, ciborium, Annunciation, Virgin Annunciate

BIBLIOGRAPHY

PRELOG, MILAN La Basilica Eufrasiana a Parenzo

BIBLIOGRAPHY

DEMUS, OTTO The ciborium mosaics of Parenzo

BIBLIOGRAPHY

CUSCITO, GIUSEPPE Parenzo

BIBLIOGRAPHY

ORLIC, DRAGO 2004 Sv Mavar - novi pocetak (ili knjiga spomenar)

BIBLIOGRAPHY

BALDINI, MARINO Sv. Mavar u umjetnickoj ostavstini

BIBLIOGRAPHY

POGATSCHNIG, ANTONIO Guida di Parenzo : con piante della citta, di Marafor e della Basilica e con varie illustrazioni

BIBLIOGRAPHY

CAPRIN, GIUSEPPE Marine Istriane

BIBLIOGRAPHY

PRELOG, MILAN Porec, grad i spomenici

BIBLIOGRAPHY

BERNARDI, GABRIELLA I mosaici della basilica eufrasiana di Parenzo : documenti per la storia dei restauri (1862 - 1916)

BIBLIOGRAPHY

BOVINI, GIUSEPPE Le antichità cristiane della fascia costiera istriana da Parenzo a Pola

BIBLIOGRAPHY

MOLAJOLI, BRUNO La basilica Eufrasiana di Parenzo

BIBLIOGRAPHY

NEGRI, GASPARE Della chiesa di Parenzo