Identifier: cu31924028356396 (find matches)
Title: Ravenna, a study
Year: 1913 (1910s)
Authors: Hutton, Edward, 1875-
Subjects: Architecture
Publisher: London, J.M. Dent New York, E.P. Dutton
Contributing Library: Cornell University Library
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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h is entirely encrusted with most preciousmarbles and mosaics. In the midst of it stands the altarconsisting of slabs of semi-transparent alabaster, within whichof old lights were set. The marvellously lovely piece whichserves for the altar stone itself is supported by four columns,and that piece which serves for frontal is carved with a greatcross between two sheep. This altar had long disappeared,but piece by piece it was recovered; the beautiful altar stoneitself was found behind an altar in a chapel now destroyed inthis church, and was re-erected as we see it in 1899. 1 We know nothing of any mosaics other than those in the presby-tery and the tribunes; it may be that the church was covered withmosaic or was painted by the Byzantine artists, and this as well wherethe marble slabs now cover the piers as elsewhere. If so it must havebeen glorious indeed. Nothing that we can do can restore this workto us, and we achieve nothing but destruction by destroying the workthat is now there.
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■niimmmiillH^*^\7 HARAl-O iiUMI^ S. VITALE : THE PRESBYTERY, \. THE BYZANTINE CHURCHES 199 In the same chapel stood till then the beautiful low frettedscreens that now are set across the apse behind the altar,where indeed they remained till 1700, according to Dr. Ricci.The lower part of the apse and the piers of the presbyteryhave been covered with fine marbles, some of which arcancient, but the vault, the lunettes, and the walls are entirelyencrusted with gorgeous mosaics.^ The presbytery is approached from the inner octagon ofthe church under a triumphal arch. In the curve of this wesee amid much decorative ornament fifteen circular discscontaining the head of Our Lord, the twelve Apostles, S.Gervasius, and S. Protasius^ ^Beneath these are two monu-ments variously formed. Dr. Ricci tells us, in the sixteenthcentury. The four column^ which they contain originallysupported the baldacchino aver the high altar here; threeof them are of verde antico.A^ramed by these columns are\ two Ro

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