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You're probably seen this mosaic of the Emperor Justinian from the Church of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy:Take a look at the image on the following page, which is someone's attempt to make it lifelike. http://www.arkeo3d.com/byzantium1200/justinian.htmlAy yai yai...that image just seems strange. It turns Justinian into a bug-eyed alien (or a Japanese anima figure).
I think the picture of Justinian is beautiful and reminds me of some post- Raphael Renaissance work in Tuscany–artist–unremembered at this time.
I think the mosaic is beautiful as well. I just don't dig the literal representation of it in that photo collage…although I suppose it is an interesting thing to try to do.
Saw St. Marks in Venice this past weekend and while it is impressive with all the gold mosaics I thought many of the smaller churches in Venice were much more beautiful and Church-like. One thing I noticed in Italy this past week is how many masterpieces are still in churches as opposed to other countries in Europe where many works have been moved into museums. The most impressive church I saw in Venice was Dei Frari, it is truly awe inspiring inside and still used to say Mass every day.
I will love going back to Venice, when I get the chance. I've given two conference papers on Santa Maria della Salute (easily visible from the Piazzetta, on the other side of the Grand Canal) but I basically had to rely on photographs, maps, and old drawings to get a clear picture of the urban space and the sights. I was in Venice a few times in 1995 so it's hard to remember everything.
