The mosaics at the Church of Santa Costanza honor Constantina, Constantine’s daughter, while surrounding her image with putti harvesting from tangled grapevines and stomping grapes. Usually understood pagan representation of winemaking, the Christian context regards this as a way to show death and resurrection. This double meaning of the mosaic added to the charm, making the viewer look carefully for any detail that may expose the mosaic as strictly pagan or Christian. Besides the mosaic in the ambulatory vault, that interior is relatively plain. In contrast, the Dome of the Rock is almost overly ornate, starting with the golden dome ruling its exterior. The interior of the building is no different, starting with the gold-encrusted mosaics that cover both sides of the arcade. Along the ambulatory, inscriptions from the Qur’an and other Islamic texts are ornately inscribed, creating the expectation that one should walk about the entire building reflecting on the writing. However, even if you are unable to read Arabic, the writings have a decorative appeal. Above these writings is another mosaic of vines and trees, symmetrically designed to represent Paradise. Below, still more ornate details of a pattern of marbles that cap the golden capitals. All of these details are meant to highlight the religious significance of the rock displayed in the
The mosaics at the Church of Santa Costanza honor Constantina, Constantine’s daughter, while surrounding her image with putti harvesting from tangled grapevines and stomping grapes. Usually understood pagan representation of winemaking, the Christian context regards this as a way to show death and resurrection. This double meaning of the mosaic added to the charm, making the viewer look carefully for any detail that may expose the mosaic as strictly pagan or Christian. Besides the mosaic in the ambulatory vault, that interior is relatively plain. In contrast, the Dome of the Rock is almost overly ornate, starting with the golden dome ruling its exterior. The interior of the building is no different, starting with the gold-encrusted mosaics that cover both sides of the arcade. Along the ambulatory, inscriptions from the Qur’an and other Islamic texts are ornately inscribed, creating the expectation that one should walk about the entire building reflecting on the writing. However, even if you are unable to read Arabic, the writings have a decorative appeal. Above these writings is another mosaic of vines and trees, symmetrically designed to represent Paradise. Below, still more ornate details of a pattern of marbles that cap the golden capitals. All of these details are meant to highlight the religious significance of the rock displayed in the