Description

Sicily is famous for the spectacular mosaics found in its magnificent palaces, chapels and cathedrals. Commissioned during the twelfth century by Sicily’s Norman rulers and largely the work of Greek-speaking mosaicists brought to Sicily from Constantinople, these mosaics are among the most beautiful examples of Byzantine art in existence. A brief historical introduction about Byzantine, Arab and Norman domination and the spread of Byzantine art in Sicily is followed by three chapters dedicated to the greatest examples of Byzantine influence in Palermo, Cefalu and Monreale. With more than 175 colour photographs, this extensively illustrated book provides a fascinating look at these mosaics. There are many close-ups, along with breathtaking views of interior spaces. Text in English and Italian. AUTHOR: Adele Cilento (Corigliano Calabro, 1967) is a research doctor in Medieval History. She graduated from the University of Florence, obtaining her doctorate at the University of Turin under the guidance of Mario Gallina. She also obtained a diploma in Greek Paleography from the Vatican Secret Archives. She was a fellow at Brown University in Providence (R.I.) and at the Ecole Francaise de Rome. Her research mainly concerns the political and religious history of Byzantium and the civil and religious institutions of southern Byzantine Italy. 350 colour images