DOI chapter:
Plate 1-XCIII
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.62036#0238
112
PLATE LV.
THE APOSTLES.
Fig. 6. These two figures are from a series of the Twelve Apostles, arranged in a circle around
a representation of the Baptism of Christ; they are all alike, and wholly without
individual character, each one wearing the same conical cap, and carrying Crowns in
their hands, and they are only distinguished by the names written over them. It
is from a Mosaic in the Church of San Giovanni in Fonte, Ravenna, dated 451, and
is the earliest instance of a series of the Apostles forming the decoration of a Church.
Such representations may certainly be called symbolical, because there is no attempt
at rendering them historical. (4.)
7. In this instance there is another step towards individual character, as the Key is given
to St. Peter as his peculiar attribute, and he is the only one who wears a cap; some
of the others carry Scrolls in their hands, as characteristic of their Writings, and
their names have the title of Saint prefixed to them; the Twelve are ranged in a
line on each side of the Saviour; from a Mosaic in the Church of S. Agatha, Rome,
dated 472. The letters marked upon their garments, and which are so frequently met
with in Mosaics, have not been satisfactorily explained. (4.)
PLATE LV.
THE APOSTLES.
Fig. 6. These two figures are from a series of the Twelve Apostles, arranged in a circle around
a representation of the Baptism of Christ; they are all alike, and wholly without
individual character, each one wearing the same conical cap, and carrying Crowns in
their hands, and they are only distinguished by the names written over them. It
is from a Mosaic in the Church of San Giovanni in Fonte, Ravenna, dated 451, and
is the earliest instance of a series of the Apostles forming the decoration of a Church.
Such representations may certainly be called symbolical, because there is no attempt
at rendering them historical. (4.)
7. In this instance there is another step towards individual character, as the Key is given
to St. Peter as his peculiar attribute, and he is the only one who wears a cap; some
of the others carry Scrolls in their hands, as characteristic of their Writings, and
their names have the title of Saint prefixed to them; the Twelve are ranged in a
line on each side of the Saviour; from a Mosaic in the Church of S. Agatha, Rome,
dated 472. The letters marked upon their garments, and which are so frequently met
with in Mosaics, have not been satisfactorily explained. (4.)