SAN CLEMENTE
In the Upper Basilica of San Clemente we can see one of the most sublime Roman mosaics, created at the turn of the twelfth and thirteenth century by a group of artists of the Roman school.
The great composition is inspired by the Gospel of John:
At that time, Jesus said to his disciples: "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. Every branch in me that bears no fruit he cuts away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have announced.
Abide in me and I in you. As the branch can not bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him, bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. Man does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; gather them, throw them into the fire and burned.
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done. Herein is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. "
And the vine fills the apse and inside the vine everyday life lives.
At the center of the mosaic the Cross which raises the vine, on the sides of the Redeemer, Our Lady and St. John.
Among the branches peacocks a symbol of resurrection and immortality of the soul, while the deer that drink reminiscent of the psalm "As the deer longs for flowing streams so my soul pants for you, God."
At the foot of the Cross seem the four doctors of the Church, from right to left: Ambrose, Gregory, Jerome and Augustine, among them the benefactors of the work.
Over the Cross the hand of the Father gives to the Son a crown.
In the lower section of the mosaic the twelve apostles, depicted as lambs, leaving two cities left Bethlehem and Jerusalem on the right.
At the center of the arch of the apse we see Jesus with open book, on either side the symbols of the four evangelists: the bull of Luke, the eagle for John, the man of Matthew and the lion of Mark
Below left St. Paul with St. Lawrence with at the foot the grill that recalls his martyrdom, further down the prophet Isaiah, on the right St. Peter with St. Clement holding in his hand an anchor in memory of the martyrdom, when he was thrown into the Black Sea tied to an anchor.
At the bottom the prophet Jeremiah .
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