The artwork titled “St. Vitalis, Archangel, Jesus Christ, Second Archangel and Bishop of Ravenna Ecclesius” was created by the Byzantine Mosaics around the year 547. This mosaic artwork, belonging to the Early Byzantine art movement (circa 330–750), is an exquisite example of religious painting. It is part of a series within the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy, where it is also located. The medium employed for this artwork is mosaïque, a technique commonly associated with Byzantine art.
In this intricate mosaic, a central figure, Jesus Christ, is depicted seated, flanked by two archangels on either side. To His left stands St. Vitalis, recognized by his attire and position. To His right is the Bishop of Ravenna, Ecclesius, distinguished by his ecclesiastical robes. The vibrant, shimmering gold background and the detailed, colorful floral designs enhance the spiritual gravitas and divine aura of the scene, conveying a glimpse into heavenly surroundings as imagined in Byzantine religious art. Each figure is meticulously rendered with symbolic gestures and attributes, emphasizing their sacred significance in Christian iconography. The artwork exemplifies the Byzantine aesthetic of combining grandeur with religious devotion, focusing heavily on symmetry, order, and the use of divine symbolism.
