Mausoleum of Galla Placidia and Arian Baptistery in Ravenna
Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Ravenna
It has now lost five feet of its original height. The central dome is inserted into a square, and the sides are covered with barrel vaults, while the exterior features tegula roofing (shingles) and curved tiles in gabled brick and tile. The entrance facade is decorated with semicircular arches and a series of small windows that would have been covered by slabs of alabaster.
Interior Description
- Longitudinal: Central area with a barrel vault on pendentives and sarcophagi (their occupants are unknown, as they were looted in the 16th century. Nothing indicates they belong to the family of Theodosius).
- Pendentive-Dome: Extensively restored while respecting the original composition. The dome is supported by pendentives with lunettes, a cross in the center, and tetramorphs on the sides.
- Interior from the entrance: Coffin (oratory of San Lorenzo): The vaults are constructed of broken African amphorae to reduce weight, while hollow arches emulate the tubuli of North Africa. This technique allows for increasingly large spaces covered with vaults.
The floor and the interior of the room date to the 16th century; the sarcophagi were also altered at that time.
Mosaic Decoration
- Lunette of the Good Shepherd: Located above the entrance, it depicts Christ in a pastoral scene using imperial iconography. Christ wears the purple palium, a garment directly associated with the emperor, obtained through a complex process using a mollusk that was lost over time. Some sheep also appear in an idyllic setting. (It is heavily restored, as the tiles were deteriorating).
- Lunette of San Lorenzo: Depicts San Lorenzo, martyred on a grill, and a cabinet with the Gospels on the left.
- Upper Lunettes: Christian symbolism is evident, with another deer depicted in an almost heraldic pose. The central motif is a border of flowers and herbs mixed with acanthus leaves.
- Soffit: Features the chrismon with the alpha and omega within a victory wreath.
- A series of figures are identified as the twelve apostles, among whom San Pedro is recognizable by the key he holds.
- Lunette with Birds: Depicts a bird drinking from an amphora. The doves symbolize the souls of believers and may also represent two apostles.
Letters appear on the palium, a rectangular garment of Greek or Roman origin worn over the tunic. The apostles wear purple bands, signifying high dignity, similar to senators. Pagan symbols were adopted into Christian art. Above, a scallop is depicted, representing not only the imperial world but also a Christian symbol.
Sarcophagi
One of the sarcophagi (possibly Constantius III) was discovered in the 16th century, containing a burnt body. The central sarcophagus is believed to be that of Galla Placidia. To the left is likely that of Constantius III, her husband, represented with a mystic lamb. To the right is possibly that of Valentinian III, her son. Other sources associate the latter with Honorius. It depicts a lamb in the center and the cross of Christ as an ordeal.
Arian Baptistery, Ravenna (493-526)
Theodoric (454-526) carried out a brilliant and powerful project, of which this baptistery is a part. For the West, it was a reflection of the Byzantine court, but the artists who created it were possibly Western.
The Arian Baptistery was part of the cathedral. It is a polygonal building constructed of brick and covered with a dome, showcasing the architecture created within. The most interesting aspect is the rich decoration of the dome, formed by two concentric rings. One depicts a procession of apostles separated by stylized palms, and the central medallion portrays the Baptism of Christ. This program is similar to that of the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia.