DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5009#0248
228
TIANDB 0 OK OF A RCIIJEOL 0 0 Y.
mosaics gave them an appearance of groat elegance. The mosaic of
the Capitol, found in Adrian's Yilla, may give an idea of the perfec-
tion which the Greeks attained to in that art. It represents a vase
full of water, on the sides of which are four doves, one of which is
in the act of drinking. It is supposed by some to be the mosaic of
Pergamus mentioned by Pliny. It is entirely composed of cubes of
marble, without any admixture of coloured glass. Mosaics of this kind
may be considered as the most ancient; it was only by degrees that
the art of colouring marble, enamel, and glass, multiplied the
materials suited for mosaics, and rendered their execution much
more easy. It was then carried to a very high degree of perfection.
The mosaic found at Pompeii, which represents three masked figures
playing on different instruments, with a child near them, is of the
MOSAIC OF niOSCOKIDES.
most exquisite workmanship. It is formed of very small pieces of
glass, of the most beautiful colours, and of various shades. The
hair, the small leaves which ornament the masks, and the eyebrows,
are most delicately expressed. What enhances the value of this
mosaic is the name of the artist worked in it—Dioscorides of Samos.
The subjects represented in mosaics are in endless variety, and
generally are derived from mythology or heroic myths. Landscapes
and ornaments in borders, in frets, in compartments, intermingled
with tritons, nereids, centaurs, are to be found on them. The prin-
TIANDB 0 OK OF A RCIIJEOL 0 0 Y.
mosaics gave them an appearance of groat elegance. The mosaic of
the Capitol, found in Adrian's Yilla, may give an idea of the perfec-
tion which the Greeks attained to in that art. It represents a vase
full of water, on the sides of which are four doves, one of which is
in the act of drinking. It is supposed by some to be the mosaic of
Pergamus mentioned by Pliny. It is entirely composed of cubes of
marble, without any admixture of coloured glass. Mosaics of this kind
may be considered as the most ancient; it was only by degrees that
the art of colouring marble, enamel, and glass, multiplied the
materials suited for mosaics, and rendered their execution much
more easy. It was then carried to a very high degree of perfection.
The mosaic found at Pompeii, which represents three masked figures
playing on different instruments, with a child near them, is of the
MOSAIC OF niOSCOKIDES.
most exquisite workmanship. It is formed of very small pieces of
glass, of the most beautiful colours, and of various shades. The
hair, the small leaves which ornament the masks, and the eyebrows,
are most delicately expressed. What enhances the value of this
mosaic is the name of the artist worked in it—Dioscorides of Samos.
The subjects represented in mosaics are in endless variety, and
generally are derived from mythology or heroic myths. Landscapes
and ornaments in borders, in frets, in compartments, intermingled
with tritons, nereids, centaurs, are to be found on them. The prin-