I.

Introduction

Mosaic, the art of creating figurative or geometric designs by embedding into cement small pieces of glass, stone, terracotta, or other suitable materials. Mosaic decoration is best suited to large plane surfaces; it is particularly effective on floors, interior and outside walls, vaults, and ceilings, but can also be applied to small panels and other portable objects. Mosaic was an art form especially well developed by the Romans and used extensively in Byzantine buildings and in Italian churches. Because the materials used in mosaics are relatively resistant to deterioration, many ancient mosaics have survived, and retain the same brilliance today that they had when they were originally laid.