Poreč, Cathedral of Eufrasius, mosaic, north side of apse, Annunciation
Two narrative scenes, the Annunciation and the Visitation, are displayed on the lower walls of the north and south sides of the main apse. Their choice and prominence are consistent with the placement of Mary in the central apse and the accent on the humanity of Jesus. In the Annunciation (a story told in the Gospel of Luke 1: 26-38), the angel Gabriel announced the birth of Jesus to Mary. Terry and Maguire have highlighted distinctive features of the scene ([2007], pp. 100-01): the Virgin’s pointing gesture which suggests her acceptance of the divine command (Luke 1:39) and the remarkable transparent veil and the belt it covers – just beneath the Virgin’s breasts. Relics of the veil and belt were said to be held at Constantinople in churches that were built and richly embellished from the late fifth through the sixth century. The emphasis on these garments may reflect the veneration of these relics and the spread of their fame. In addition, the belt and robe were seen as evidence and symbols of the Incarnation, the birth of Jesus as a man (Terry and Maguire [2007], pp. 133-36). Therefore, their prominence lent support to the doctrine of Jesus’ two natures which the Istrian bishops upheld in the mid-sixth century when they were drawn into a schism with Constantinople and Rome by their refusal to accept Emperor Justinian’s condemnation of the Three Chapters, texts that – in the view of the Monophysites (Eastern Christians who believed in the single divine nature of Jesus) – separated Jesus’ divine and human nature, placing excessive emphasis on his humanity. Cited sources: Terry, Ann and Henry Maguire. Dynamic Splendor: The Wall Mosaics in the Cathedral of Eufrasius at Poreč. Univ. Park, Pa: Pennsylvania State UP, 2007.
D'Emilio photo archive no. 19773733_1295uGalleries:Annunciation, Cathedral of Eufrasius, Poreč, Croatia, Gilded capitals, Italy and the Adriatic, 500s, Mosaic, Mosaics on apse and choir wallsKeywords:angel, throne, veilPhoto Location: Poreč, CroatiaPhotographer: Dr. James D’EmilioDate of Photo:Device Make: NikonDevice Model: Nikon SUPER COOLSCAN 5000 EDOriginal Dimensions: 5254×3578Picture Orientation: LandscapeGPS Coordinates:Picture Number: 22297
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