Mosaïques

Mosaïques, the French term for mosaics, are artworks created by assembling small pieces called tesserae to form images or patterns on a fixed surface. The tesserae may be made of stone, ceramic, glass, or metal and can be cut into squares or irregular shapes. The resulting surface is used for floors, walls, ceilings, and decorative panels, covering a wide range from geometric designs to narrative scenes.

Techniques and materials vary by period and place. The direct method sets tesserae directly into a binding material on site, while the indirect method arranges tesserae on a support and transfers them to the final surface. Binding media include lime mortar, plaster, cement, and modern resins. Common tesserae include stone, ceramic, glass (including Byzantine smalti), and precious metals for luxury pieces.

History and regional development: Mosaic art appears in ancient Mesopotamia, Greece, and Rome, and flourishes in the Byzantine world with luminous interiors and gold backgrounds. Islamic mosaics emphasize geometric and vegetal patterns. In medieval Europe, mosaics persisted in Italy and other regions; the Renaissance revived classical approaches, and contemporary practices explore abstraction, new materials, and larger scales.

Conservation and significance: Mosaïques are durable but susceptible to moisture, salt, and structural movement. Conservation involves material analysis, stabilization of loose tesserae, cleaning, and replacement with compatible materials when necessary. Notable examples include Ravenna’s churches, Pompeii’s Alexander Mosaic, and mosaics in Hagia Sophia, as well as modern public installations.