Mosaics of Ravenna: For the Glory of Kings and Emperors

This event will take place on 20 Febuary 2024 at 7:30pm.

 

Speaker: Dr. Helen Rufus-Ward

Dr Rufus-Ward is a published art historian and university lecturer with a BA, MA and an AHRC funded doctorate (DPhil) from the University of Sussex. Helen lectured at the University of Sussex for seven years on all aspects of art history but with a specialism in early Christian and Byzantine art.

In her lecture Helen will explore the magnificence of the mosaics at Ravenna, now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

“In 402AD Ravenna became the capital of the Western Roman Empire and continued to prosper under Ostrogoth and then Byzantine rule. This past eminence left Ravenna with a legacy of richly decorated early Christian buildings, which has earned it UNESCO World Heritage site status. This lecture will explore some of these buildings and their magnificent mosaics: The octagonal church of San Vitale, home of the celebrated portrait panels of the emperor Justinian I and his wife, the notorious empress Theodora; the basilica church of S. Apollinare Nuovo decorated with spectacular processions of male and female saints, and with surprising evidence of its past life as the palace chapel of Ostrogoth King Theodoric; the basilica church of S. Apollinare in Classe featuring a magical starry sky apse mosaic; and the exquisite mosaic decoration of the cruciform oratory of imperial princess Galla Placidia. …”   Dr Rufus-Ward.

THE ASSEMBLY ROOM, COUNCIL HOUSE, NORTH STREET, CHICHESTER.

Prices: £10 members and £12 for non-members

Please send your payment via BACS transfer to: the Friends of Ravenna (Barclays Bank) Sort code 20-20-62 a/c 73194604. Please put your name and ‘Mosaics’ in the reference area when you make the payment

If you prefer to pay by cheque Please send  it to ‘The Treasurer’, 9 Dolphin Court, Bognor Regis. PO21 1TP