Context, Style, and Subject
This image depicts the inside of the San Vitale Basilica. The architecture of this basilica is a very interesting aspect as it combines multiple different styles. The building has an octagonal plan that includes a central dome area with radiating chapels formed by excedre. This dome is carried using squinch, which is traditional in Arab architecture, these release pressure from the big dome on top. This building also has an ambulatory which means that you can walk around the exterior of the entire building. The architecture also has two floors which represents a divide in gender. You can also see, along the bottom of the dome, there is a tambor which has windows underneath. You can also see references of other big churches in the building architecture that would have helped relate power to Justinan and the bishop. The exterior also includes references to multiple different styles.
Context, Style, and Subject
The mosaic inside shows the Emperor Justinian, however he was not the one that commissioned it and he never even visited it. The point of this propaganda is to benefit the bishop who was receiving all of this power. Another mosaic includes a depiction of Jesus in royal purple which makes him look somewhat like an emperor. The Justinian mosaic also shows bishops and the military on each of his sides. This represents Justinian as a connection between the people and religion. Justinian is also holding Eucharist, the body of Christ. On the other side, we have Justinian's wife, Theodora. In her mosaic she has her elite court and is wearing the crown of pendilia and has wine in her hand, the blood of Christ. Both of these are huge examples of propaganda.
Connection to Reading
This week's reading was "Style and Meaning in the Imperial Panels at San Vitale" by Sarah Basset. The reading connects to this image because she is talking about the panels in the image and in the structure that this image was taken in. In this article she talks about reading and looking deeper into the images is especially important when talking about San Vitale. She also mentions how powerful and impactful, in religion and politics, these images are. The reading also connects gender roles at the time with the way Justinian and Theodora are shown in the mosaics.The reading also connects rhetoric to the images displayed.
Object Annotation 4-Anna Shiflett
Anna Shiflett
Created on October 8, 2025
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Transcript
Context, Style, and Subject
This image depicts the inside of the San Vitale Basilica. The architecture of this basilica is a very interesting aspect as it combines multiple different styles. The building has an octagonal plan that includes a central dome area with radiating chapels formed by excedre. This dome is carried using squinch, which is traditional in Arab architecture, these release pressure from the big dome on top. This building also has an ambulatory which means that you can walk around the exterior of the entire building. The architecture also has two floors which represents a divide in gender. You can also see, along the bottom of the dome, there is a tambor which has windows underneath. You can also see references of other big churches in the building architecture that would have helped relate power to Justinan and the bishop. The exterior also includes references to multiple different styles.
Context, Style, and Subject
The mosaic inside shows the Emperor Justinian, however he was not the one that commissioned it and he never even visited it. The point of this propaganda is to benefit the bishop who was receiving all of this power. Another mosaic includes a depiction of Jesus in royal purple which makes him look somewhat like an emperor. The Justinian mosaic also shows bishops and the military on each of his sides. This represents Justinian as a connection between the people and religion. Justinian is also holding Eucharist, the body of Christ. On the other side, we have Justinian's wife, Theodora. In her mosaic she has her elite court and is wearing the crown of pendilia and has wine in her hand, the blood of Christ. Both of these are huge examples of propaganda.
Connection to Reading
This week's reading was "Style and Meaning in the Imperial Panels at San Vitale" by Sarah Basset. The reading connects to this image because she is talking about the panels in the image and in the structure that this image was taken in. In this article she talks about reading and looking deeper into the images is especially important when talking about San Vitale. She also mentions how powerful and impactful, in religion and politics, these images are. The reading also connects gender roles at the time with the way Justinian and Theodora are shown in the mosaics.The reading also connects rhetoric to the images displayed.