Mosaics and Micro Mosaics

The history of mosaics from 4th century BCE Greece to modern-day Rome

From the earliest mosaics in 4th century BCE Greece and the Byzantine splendor of Hagia Sophia to the celebratory frieze encircling the Royal Albert Hall, as well as Eduardo Paolozzi’s commission for the London Underground, this book reveals the technical and stylistic evolution of the mosaic and its prominence in political, public, and civic spaces.

Drawing on a conference at the V&A supported by the Gilbert Trust for the Arts, this volume provides both a sweeping history of the craft and fascinating insight into key events. These include the competition judged by Titian, Tintoretto, Schiavone, and Veronese in 16th-century Venice to choose a mosaicist for St. Mark’s Basilica and the prominence of mosaic in Fascist Italy, Nazi Germany, and Soviet Russia.

The volume also considers the practical―the collection and preservation of micro-mosaics and also their creation through an interview with Maurizio Fiorvanti, a jeweler who has mastered the technique of micro-mosaics and continues to create exquisite pieces from his studio in Rome.

Alice Minter is the Senior Curator of the Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London. A leading expert on European decorative arts, her curatorial work and research focus on the history, preservation, and technical mastery of precious objects, including gold boxes, portrait miniatures, and intricate micromosaics.

Dr. Simona Valeriani is a Senior Lecturer and historian at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) Research Institute. Specializing in the history of technology, craftsmanship, and material culture, her academic work bridges the gap between ancient manufacturing techniques and the cultural identities of public, civic, and political spaces.