Color Plates

St. Clemente

Entire apse.

The St. Clemente apse image shows a tree of life composed of spiraling green branches which hold scenes of daily life, animals and birds, and abundant fruit. The crucifixion at the center was added after the 11th century. Though the mosaic has been restored and altered numerous times, the tree of life is believed to be original and to date to the earliest centuries of Christian mosaic art. Similar spirals appear in Ravenna's fourth to sixth century mosaics, and in the very old Laterano baptistery in Rome.

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