The Queen of the Night

Today my main topic won't be mosaic, but the beautiful Queen of the Night...

I met her on June 8 at the British Museum, but had known her for a long long time, and was thrilled to meet her in person for the first time.

Interestingly enough, the Sumerian Goddess from about 1750 BC comes 1300 years later to haunt Odysseus on a Greek Crater from around 450 BC.

1600 years later as a funerary mermaid.

and 2100 years later on a beautiful Roman mosaic in Tunisia, as a mermaid again, taunting Odysseus...

So you see here, we have an old symbol, sometimes we call it an archetype, which has survived 2000 years, and somehow is still alive in collective memories... 

 

Kongelige Bibliotek, Gl. kgl. S. 3466 8º, Folio 37r

That is why studying Art, History and Mythology  might help us understand present times. There is a reason why dictators don't want us to study humanities (or finance education systems which would teach these materials). Humanities allow us to understand what people did it in the past, why they did it, what happened to them as a consequence, and may help us make sure  we won't get fooled again...

I am a modern mosaic artist with a deep admiration for ancient Greek, Roman and Byzantine Arts. You can see some of my own mosaics on my site mosaicblues.

 

If you are interested by my work in general  or if you would simply like to drop me a line, please 

contact me by email at frederic.lecut@mosaic.com   

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The Mosaics of the Bardo Museum

I have been several times to Tunisia and was always well received by friendly people. 

Yesterday, this country was hit by ignorant murderers sponsored by haters of individual freedom seeking to bring the world back into the dark ages and my heart bleeds with Tunisia, like it did with France 2 month ago.

The Pakistani talibans who shot Malala - a defensor of education for young women - and the terrorists who attacked the Bardo National Museum - a place to preserve and promote a culture dating back way before the Prophet they claim and betray was born - share a common hatred of education, for it is the only safe way to make sure average citizens do not get abused by powerful commercial, political or religious groups.

Today I would simply like to share with you a few of the wonderful mosaics - attesting of the magnificent Culture of ancient Tunisia - displayed at this Bardo Museum.

Ulysses and the Sirens.

Floor Mosaic

Virgil and his muses Clio and Melpomene.

A lion and four millet stems

I am a modern mosaic artist. I admire ancient Greek, Roman and Byzantine Arts and my own mosaics are often inspired by the work of ancient masters. You can visit my site at mosaicblues.  If you are interested by my works, or would like to drop me a line please contact me by email at frederic.lecut@gmail.com or by phone at (334) 798 1639.

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Surrounding the blood of the 

victims the crowd lays down 

flowers and candles 

...

A Roman Lions Club

One fascinating aspects of graphic arts is that it helps us realize how things were done at time it was produced.

Often it allows us to realize how things have deeply changed with time, Sometimes it also allows us to realize how things have NOT changed...

So here is one of the gorgeous mosaics hosted by the National Bardo Museum in Tunis (Tunisia) :

A Lion with what appears to be some sort of piercings through its nose, framed by 4 stalks of millet. 

Above him an inscription reads :

O LEO, PRAESUMSISTI, EXPEDISTI, DEDICASTI

Which  can be translated into

"O Leo, you planned, you prepared, you dedicated (this)."

This particular mosaic was originally part of the Thermae in the city of Uzitta,  a city of high antiquity, famous for certain episodes of Caesar's campaign in Africa.

In Rome, the thermae were facilities for bathing, public or private.

Most Roman cities had at least one, if not many, Thermae. These were centres not only for bathing, but more importantly also for socializing.

So what it first appears to be is that a guy named Leo designed, built and dedicated these thermae for the city of Uzitta.

But actually, things are a little more complicated.

Because the Lion framed by 4 Millet stalks actually was a symbol used by the Leontii - The Lions Sodality - a group of local prominent citizens, archaeologists believe these bath were actually built either by Leo, member of the Lions Sodality, or by the sodality itself for the benefit of the whole town.

A sort of Roman Lion's Club...

So, this is why the study of mosaics is fascinating: they show us that while some things have enormously evolved in the course of 1800 years, the men and women of these times had motivations, concerns and organizations similar to ours. 

If anything, this points to the importance of studying History if we want to try to avoid past mistakes and improve our societies. But this, my little friends, is an other story...

Mosaics are Classy. They have been for the past 2500 years... Emulate this beautiful Roman Patrician. Add colour and style to your life with one  of mosaicblues' mosaics.

Wether an existing mosaic or a special project: Commission a portrait, decorative panel for your kitchen or bathroom, a shower wall, an entrance hall floor... Together we will design the perfect piece fitted to your home's or business' unique style. Or if you simply would like to discuss the wonderful art of modern and ancient mosaics, please contact me by email at frederic.lecut@gmail.com or by phone at (334) 798 1639.

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The Mosaics of El Djem, Tunisia

El Djem (Arabic: قصر الجمّ ; Latin Thysdrus) a town in Eastern Tunisia, is home to the world’s second largest Roman theater, and of a very rich collection of Roman mosaics of the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD.

On the outskirts of the city a museum houses many mosaics from excavations in the rich Roman villas of Thysdrus

Many pieces found on this site are kept at the Bardo National Museum and the Sousse Museum.

Mosaics continue to be the main source of artistic attraction of El Djem. The city houses a range of large and small workshops producing both traditional and innovative works.