It was later moved and one day was added to it, so it is as long as July, which was named after Julius Caesar, Augustus’s great-uncle. It is also interesting to note that August was originally the sixth month of the year, so it had 30 days. However, August is named after Augustus Caesar, who was the founder and first emperor of the Roman Empire.

On a cheerful note, August is famous for a variety of things, including dog days of summer, National Smile Week, and National Watermelon Day. July was already hot, but it seems that August will be hellish, so let’s talk nice about it and hope someone in charge of the weather will hear us… Neptune ans Salacia wall mosaic in Herculaneum. Today, mosaic wall art is not only accessible, but it is a timeless way to elevate your space.(4 min read) Now that we’ve dipped our toes into August, it seems only fair to dedicate an article to what’s to be (meteorologists say) the hottest month this year in both the western and northern hemispheres. Gone are the days when only the richest few could decorate with mosaics. Traditional tiles of marble, glass, or pebbles are still in use worldwide in a variety of styles. It is not uncommon to see public mosaics constructed of broken glass or ceramics from discarded home goods and other waste. Modern-day artists use various materials, many of which are recyclable. Klimt toyed with different materials and rounded lines befitting his abstract take on Byzantine style motifs. Mosaics took on a reputation for showcasing artistry and skill.Īs the world continued to look for new and innovative ways to make art, artists like Gustav Klimt were making mosaics that defied the traditional styles of the Ancient Greeks and Romans.

John the Baptist, to wildly abstract patterns that somehow blend harmoniously. In fact, during this time, mosaics were elevated from illustrative depictions of events to genuinely remarkable works of art that ranged from incredibly realistic, like the Baptism of Christ in Lisbon's Chapel of St. Today, mosaics can be just as stately or more suited for the modern home.ĭuring the Renaissance era (15th-16th Century), European homeowners opted for frescoes and recessed wall designs over mosaics, but this changed yet again during the Age of Enlightenment in the 17th and 18th centuries. The Alexander Mosaic is vast and takes up the entirety of a large wall. This great battle fought between Alexander the Great and Darius III of Achaemenid Persia was forever preserved in stunning mosaic form. The Alexander Mosaic found in the House of the Faun is an artistic depiction of the Battle of Issus. One of the earliest examples of mosaic wall art comes from Ancient Rome, specifically the city of Pompeii. Mosaic wall art evolved shortly after the creation of mosaic walkways and floors. While sweeping, grandiose landscapes and murals crept into fashion and have stayed there to this day. Intricate ceiling displays became breathtaking features of churches and mosques.

Artists began to reconstruct world events and imagine new ones. Marble's inception into the mosaic world was a revolutionary change that allowed mosaics to go from functional home decor to artistic expression. Marble tiles are especially favored in mosaic artistry as marble comes in a variety of colors that an artist can cut to their liking. Today, most mosaics consist of stone, marble, or glass tiles. Egypt, known for its ancient art, saw one of the earliest uses of glass tiles in mosaics. While the Greeks and the neighboring Romans created new ways to make mosaics, artists in North Africa, Syria, Persia, and even the Ancient Americas created art with materials native to their respective regions. Later in the 4th Century BCE, the Greeks were able to process green and red pebbles that would inspire artists to produce more mosaic artwork. At first, the Greeks utilized a greyscaled color palette and focused on shape, texture, and composition. Mosaic walkways and flooring became coveted by homeowners looking to dramatically uplift their interior designs. This system allowed them to create artwork to be put into and around the home. The Ancient Greeks developed a system for this style in the 5th Century BCE. Mosaic art uses small pieces of glass, stone, shells, or other hard natural materials, also called tessera, to form a pattern or composition. A mosaic of the Kasta Tomb in Amphipolis, 4th century BCĪn ancient art form first appearing in Mesopotamia in the third millennium BCE, mosaics have captivated art lovers for thousands of years.

Roman mosaic shapes