The Amazing Mosaics of Ravenna - Chris Gatiss History of Art Tour

Chris Gatiss was a gifted lecturer of History of Art who worked mainly in Southwest London at SCOLA, Sutton and Richmond. He also took his students on tours of Italy and Eastern Europe to see the original paintings and architecture) he was so enthusiastic about. His depth of knowledge was formidable, (much greater than the official guides who had to accompany us in many places). This was Chris's 27th such tour.
Development of Ravenna's Art and Architecture The Western Roman Emperor Flavius Honorius (384-423), along with his half-sister Galla Placidia, established the earliest cultural monuments in Ravenna. These include the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia and the Neonian Baptistry, both of which reflected Western design and religious iconography. The Mausoleum of Theoderic and the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo were constructed by Theodoric the Great, some 60 years later, and the Basilica at least reflects the growing influence of the eastern Byzantine style on Roman interior decoration. The Basilica of San Vitale and the Basilica of Sant' Apollinare in Classe were mostly built before Ravenna was fully controlled by the Byzantine empire, although completion and dedication/consecration did not take place until afterwards. These two structures are the most Byzantine of Ravenna's major monuments.