Introduction
The Alexander Mosaic, or in other words, the Battle of Issus Mosaic, is the most famous mosaic of antiquity, made of a million and a half pieces. This miracle was discovered during Pompeii’s excavations and is now in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples, where anyone can see it (Beard 28). Unfortunately, it has not been fully preserved, but the image still shows many exciting and essential details.
There have been many discussions about the authenticity and originality of the mosaic (Cohen 203). Nevertheless, it should be remembered that the original work is in the museum, and its copy is in Pompeii. The Alexander Mosaic is one of the most beautiful and expressive ancient mosaics of particular significance for the art world and all humankind.
Title
The Alexander mosaic was discovered in 1831 during the excavations of Pompeii in the so-called “Casa del Fauno”. Today, it is considered one of the most famous Roman mosaics. Measuring 5.82 x 3.13 m, it reveals several views of the Battle of Issus, which took place between Alexander the Great and the Persian king Darius III in 333 BC. The picture depicts Alexander, who rushes forward (from the left edge of the image) at the head of his army and tries to defeat Darius in the fight.
A feature of this mosaic is its unique location, considering the lighting that enters the room. Researchers believe that the mosaic was installed after the room was remodeled in such a way as to take into account the problem of shadow and light in the room, which carries a unique archaeological context. The Alexander Mosaic is currently stored in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples. A copy of the mosaic, in shape, size, color, and material exactly corresponding to the original, was recreated due to many years of work by the Ravenna mosaic school in Pompeii.
Object
Tesserae depict complex figures and convey light and shade nuances (cubes of stone from which mosaics are laid out). Following the pictorial original (probably the “Alexander Mosaic” is a copy of a painting by either Aristides from Thebes or Philoxenus from Eretria), the ancient mosaicist depicted many curious details: for example, one of the wounded Persians lies with his back to the viewer, but we see his face thanks to the reflection on the surface of the metal shield. Such moves demonstrated the artist’s skill and were the subject of conversations between the owner of the house and his guests.
Subject and Style
The Alexander Mosaic has a rectangular form; it is based on marble and limestone. It is spectacular and imposing since the master used several million tesserae. According to Mingoia (1), the mosaic’s main components are cubed glass pieces and stones cut into shapes. They are all assembled into a picture using a technique known as “opus vermiculatum” (Stewart 8). Although there are lost fragments in the mosaic, King Darius has been preserved, immediately standing out from the background as Alexander, who is depicted on his horse.
It was noted earlier that the mosaic represents one of the key moments in the history of ancient civilization, a turning point in the battle between Alexander of Macedonia and Darius III, the king of the Persian Empire. Alexander’s superiority, regal posture, and composure, reflected in his wide-open eye and the spear plunged into the enemy’s body, have an overwhelming effect on his opponents, who turn to flight in panic (Interpretation of the mosaic 1). In contrast, Darius’s position, the three Persians fighting in front of him, and the numerous spears angled left and upwards still reflect the Persians’ attack line.
Moreover, the Alexander Mosaic is done in the Greek style, as the portraits of the main heroes are depicted close-up. The picture is striking in its versatility and integrity. The composition’s complexity is formed by numerous figures of warriors and horse riders in motion. At the same time, faces and details are composed with accuracy and realism. The color scheme is limited: black, white, and yellow-red patterns are used. Such a restriction is an artistic idea subordinated to general interior interests, and not because of a lack of materials.
Much research is devoted to comparing the Alexander Mosaic with the Justinian and Attendants Mosaics. For instance, Giltzow (1-2) emphasizes the parallel between the two mosaics’ styles and messages. The artisans worked especially hard, trying to reflect all the details of the images, moods, and emotions of the central figures of a particular era. These mosaics embody specific political and social ideas and do not just serve to decorate a house or a public place.
Significance
In general, the Alexander Mosaic is important as an artifact, allowing one to get closer to the basics and beginnings of ideas. It holds the secrets of the past, anticipating the development of art. The mosaic is critical due to the images’ artistic depth and dynamics, carried through millennia of emotionality and drama. The mosaic’s author managed to convey not only the experiences of the main characters but also the general intensity of passions. Between the classical and the modern, a dialogue is inevitably established with the high and the permanent; without this dialogue, art lacks a system of coordinates.
Conclusion
The Alexander Mosaic is a famous ancient mosaic depicting Alexander the Great’s victory at the Battle of Issus. The picture consists of millions of pieces of marble and limestone tiles and is made in the Greek style. The mosaic is essential as an artifact, as a link between the past, the present, and the future, allowing a precise reference point for the development of art.
Works Cited
Beard, Mary. The Fires of Vesuvius: Pompeii Lost and Found. Harvard University Press, 2010.
Cohen, Ada. The Alexander Mosaic: Stories of Victory and Defeat. Cambridge Studies in Classical Art and Iconography. Antiquité Classique, 1999.
Giltzow, Christina. Comparison between “The Alexander Mosaic” in Pompeii and “The Justinian and Attendants Mosaic” in Ravenna, Italy. 2010. ProQuest, PhD dissertation.
“Interpretation of the Mosaic.” IVENZO-Mosaic, Web.
Mingoia, Jessica. “Alexander Mosaic from the House of the Faun, Pompeii.” Smarthistory, Web.
Stewart, Andrew. Art in the Hellenistic World: An Introduction. Cambridge University Press, 2014.