November 7, 2009

Mosaic is an art form which uses small pieces of materials placed together to create a unified whole. The materials commonly used are glass, ceramic, marble, pebble, mirror, shells and china.

The art, like any other form of art, has its own appeal. This technique when combined with the skills of the artist can be used to create beautiful works of art. The art is not just limited to the creation of paintings. The art forms have been used in different ways since the old days. The beauty of mosaic patterns and designs is something that cannot be described with mere words.

A look at any piece of art that involves the use of the mosaic style will indicate a different technique employed in this form. A mosaic artist requires ample skill and patience to create the artwork. An artist has to place together small pieces of material for the main artwork. This can be done after the design is finalized and the outlines have been drawn. The artist has the freedom to place the pieces in any way to create designs that range from the simple to the complex kinds. The materials used can be varied, from pieces of glass, pebbles to tiny pieces of tiles and colored stone. The art is versatile and can be done on a variety of surfaces.

The presence of the art can be seen since the early days. The history of the art goes back some 4,000 years or more, with the use of terracotta cones pushed point-first into a background to give decoration. By the eighth century BC, there were pebble pavements, using different colored stones to create patterns, although these tended to be unstructured decoration. It was the Greeks, in the four centuries BC, who raised the pebble technique to an art form, with precise geometric patterns and detailed scenes of people and animals. Artists have used this method that dates back to as far as 2600 BC. This was the time when stone and pebbles were used to create the basic artwork. The earliest evidences thus reveal that the art was used as floor coverings and even to embellish homes. The Christian basilicas stand testimony to the beauty of the art. In the fourth century, these basilicas employed the use of wall and ceiling mosaic patterns.

Mosaic as an art form received due recognition only during the Byzantine period. Between sixth to fifteenth centuries, this art form flourished and it could be seen on major buildings that belong to the Byzantine Empire. Artists used intricate patterns that depicted plant life, animals, geometrical shapes and even humans in larger-than-life proportions. During the Roman period, it is believed that the walls of every house were decorated with the art. Large and showy mosaics were the sign of wealth, sure to impress friends and business contacts alike.

In the modern times, the art is used not only as a decoration for the walls and floors, it is seen on pottery, furniture, medallions, windowpanes, archways, etc. Vibrant colors are employed to achieve a contrasting effect for the interiors. Today, the art enjoys an important position in interior decoration. It can be used for creative as well as for religious themes.

The captivating beauty of the art still continues to mesmerize art lovers all over. Truly, this is an eternal art form!

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