The Mosaic Art of Monreale Cathedral
Style and Influences
The cathedral’s style is syncretic, blending architectural elements from northern Normandy, such as the facade towers, with Islamic art influences seen in the geometric mosaics and decoration. The bronze doors are noteworthy, with one crafted by the renowned sculptor Bonanno Pisano, depicting biblical stories in 46 panels.
The interior showcases mosaics with gold backgrounds that narrate stories and passages from the Old and New Testaments. These mosaics follow a linear chronology, moving from the creation of the world to the Passion of Christ, from left to right.
The Apse and Byzantine Influence
A colossal Pantocrator dominates the apse, with the lower registers featuring the Theotokos, archangels, and saints. These themes echo those found in Palermo’s Palatine Chapel, the capital of the Norman kingdom. The Byzantine influence is particularly evident in the iconographic program’s layout, where the spatial hierarchy of figures aligns with their theological significance.
Themes, Meaning, and Function
Narrative Mosaics
Beginning in 1174, an extensive series of mosaics was created for Monreale Cathedral by Byzantine artists. The decorative scheme of these Eastern mosaics adapted to the church’s architecture, with Genesis scenes depicted under the central nave’s arches. Themes like the sacrifice of Isaac, Rebekah at the well, and Jacob wrestling with the angel are dynamically and narratively integrated into the arches’ planes.
The Pantocrator
The apse’s upper section features a spectacular Pantocrator of immense size. The distance between his eyes is three feet, and his gaze seems to follow viewers throughout the cathedral. His red and gold tunic conveys a regal and divine aspect, while the blue cloak draped over his shoulders represents Christ’s humanity. These mosaics served as a visual Bible for the illiterate, offering them a means to connect with God and his kingdom. Their purpose was didactic.
The Theotokos and Saints
In the lower register, the Theotokos is depicted beneath the Pantocrator. The Virgin is surrounded by six saints and angels on either side. Her features are characterized by a straight nose, downcast eyes, and delicate lips. She wears a veil or maphorion and directs her attention towards the faithful, with the child Jesus seated on her lap.
The first register, separated by a window, presents seven saints on each side, adorned in rich garments. These mosaics were crafted during the Byzantine period, coinciding with the Komnenos dynasty’s reign (1081-1185), a period marked by a new artistic trend.
Datasheet
Mosaics in the Apse of Monreale Cathedral
- Author: Unknown
- Chronology: Around 1190
- Style: Byzantine
- Technique: Mosaic (opus tesselatum)
- Topic: Religious
- Location: Apse of Monreale Cathedral, Sicily
Context: Sicily’s Rich History
Sicily, Italy’s largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, is located in southern Italy. The Greeks named it Sikelia after the native Sicel tribe. Due to its strategic location, Sicily experienced numerous invasions throughout its history, including by the Greeks, Carthaginians, and Romans. It became Roman territory during the Republic until 476 AD. The Vandals and Ostrogoths also occupied it, and in the 6th century, General Belisarius incorporated it into the Byzantine Empire.
Arab and Norman Influence
In the 8th century, Saracens from North Africa launched numerous attacks against the island, conquering and ruling it for two hundred years. Following the Norman Conquest in 1091, the Norman kings became significant patrons of the arts, commissioning Byzantine-inspired works that reflected a desire to emulate the Eastern Roman Empire.
Monreale’s Origins and Norman Patronage
The origins of Monreale are uncertain, though some historians suggest an Arab origin due to its strategic position. The city reached its peak during Norman rule in the 11th century, serving as a resting place and hunting ground for Norman monarchs seeking respite from wars and conflicts.
Formal Description
A Fusion of Architectural Styles
Monreale Cathedral stands as one of the world’s greatest examples of Norman art. It blends Norman and Muslim artistic elements that prevailed in Sicily before the Norman Conquest. King William II commissioned the construction of the church in 1172, along with a Benedictine monastery featuring a magnificent cloister. The cloister boasts 228 columns adorned with Moorish arches and intricately carved capitals. Mosaics, enamels, and bronze doors were imported from Constantinople.
The Magnificent Mosaics
The cathedral’s most remarkable feature is its magnificent mosaics. Covering 6,430 square meters, it is the largest decorative mosaic ensemble in existence, surpassing even that of St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice. Its creation required 2,200 kg of gold, and artists from Sicily, Byzantium, Greece, and Venice participated in its execution, commissioned by the Pope to adorn the walls.