do mosaics have a purpose?

Answer 1

There are some great pictures of mosaics from all over the world; these beautiful pictures are from cathedrals, museums and excavation sites in Milan, Rome, Naples, Pompeii, Ravenna and Venice (Italy), Palermo and Monreale (Sicily), and the Hagia Sophia( Istanbul, Turkey).

Milan: Mosaics from Sant Ambrogio, the Galleria

Ravenna: Mosaics from San Vitale, Sant Apollinare Nuovo, Sant Apollinare in Classe, Battistero Neoniano, Battistero Ariani

Venice: Mosaics from San Marco, Santa Maria Assunta in Torcello, and Murano
Pompeii: Mosaics from the House of the Faun, House of the Vetii, Villa of the Mysteries, House of the Tragic Poet and the Naples Archeological Museum
Rome: Mosaics from the Galleria Borghese, the Vatican Museum and the Basilica di San Pietro

Rome: Mosaics from the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore

Rome: Mosaics from the church of Santa Prassede


Rome: Mosaics from the Basilica of San Clemente

Naples: Floor Mosaics from the Galleria Umberto I - astrological signs (pictures 2 through 5)

Palermo, Sicily: Mosaics from the Cathedral, Palazzo Normanni (Maqueda Courtyard)

Palermo, Sicily: Mosaics from the Capella Palatina

Palermo, Sicily: Mosaics from the church "La Martorana"

Monreale, Sicily: Mosaics from the Monreale Cathedral
Emperor Constantine Empress Zoe

Emperor John Empress Irene

Answer 2

Does any art form have a purpose?

The answer has to be YES, doesn't it. Mosaics have been used in a practical and decorative sense for thousands of years. They were and still are used to decorate walls, floors, swimming pools, baths etc.

They stand up to wear and tear, just look at the floor mosaics that are still in quite good condition in historic sites such as in Greece and Italy. They are waterproof so can stand being outside in all weathers or at the bottom of a pool.

I have done mosaics, they are tedious to do and take absolutely ages, but the finished effects can be amazing. I once had an ugly old dish someone gave me, I did a mosaic on it and sold it for 100 pounds!!!

Answer 3

From a practical purpose, they are a great way to use a broken dish, for instance, and turn it back into something useable. From an artistic basis, they have decorated floors, walls, table tops, mailboxes, you name it. So do they have a purpose? As the famous line goes, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder".

Answer 4

Why ask ?
Most are on a floor and need to be able to sustain walking over, Imagine a fresco there . . .

As to a purpose. . well I guess we humans need to make our mark

Answer 5

To keep people's hands busy enough so as they won't go nuts in their little rubber rooms in the asylum.

Answer 6

does any art have a purpose? i don't understand the question.

Answer 7

they were probably initially used to denote a certain setting (i.e. food/church)