Tunisian Mosaics: Treasures from Roman Africa - Brossura

Abed, Aicha Ben

Brossura

ISBN 10: 0892368578 ISBN 13: 9780892368570

Casa editrice: J Paul Getty Museum Pubns, 2007

Riassunto

As the Roman Empire expanded its African settlements in the early centuries of the common era, thousands of mosaic floor pavements were fashioned to adorn the townhouses and rural estates of the African upper classes. Between the second and sixth centuries, mosaic art blossomed, particularly in Africa Proconsularis, the region comprising modern Tunisia. In contrast to the official art of imperial Rome, mosaics generally expressed the worldviews of private citizens. These artworks are remarkable for the intricate beauty of their polychromatic geometric and floral designs, as well as for figural scenes depicting the interests and activities of the patrons who commissioned them--scenes of daily life, athletic contests, gladiator spectacles, and classical literature and mythology.
Abundantly illustrated throughout, Tunisian Mosaics: Treasures from Roman Africa offers the general reader a lively introduction to this extraordinary ancient art. Initial chapters survey the historical background of Roman Africa and discuss the development of mosaic art in the Mediterranean. Subsequent chapters profile Tunisia's major mosaic sites and tour the collections of important museums. A final chapter surveys current initiatives to preserve this heritage for future generations.

Su questo libro

L'autore:

Aicha Ben Abed, director of monuments and sites at the Institut National du Patrimoine, in Tunis, is one of the world's leading experts on the mosaics of Roman Africa.

Product Description:

As the Roman Empire expanded its borders into North Africa, thousands of mosaic floor pavements were designed and created to adorn the town houses and rural estates of the upper classes. As these Roman outpost flourished, so did mosaic art - particularly in Africa Proconsularis, a region comprising modern Tunisia. "Tunisian Mosaics", with more than 130 sumptuous full-colour photographs, is the perfect introduction to this extraordinary ancient art. The initial chapters look at the historical background of Roman Africa and discuss the development of art in and around the Mediterranean. Further chapters provide detailed profiles of Tunisia's major mosaic sites, and give virtual tours of the country's most important museum collections. The final chapter surveys the current initiatives in place to preserve these fabulous works for future generations.

Su questa edizione

• Editore: J Paul Getty Museum Pubns
• Data di pubblicazione: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0892368578
• ISBN 13: 9780892368570
• Rilegatura: Copertina flessibile
• Numero di pagine: 138