Provincial art in Italy beyond the Exarchate

Venice and Torcello

[Mosaic from right apse arch of Torcello cathedral] 1. Mosaic from right apse arch of Torcello cathedral, 7th c., with 11-13th c. restorations. Torcello is one of several island settlements in the area of Venice. Despite the restorations, we get some hint of the survival of the sub-Roman mosaic tradition.

Milan

[Ivory book cover, Milan] 1. Ivory book cover, Milan, late 5th c. (Milan: Cathedral Treasury). The Lamb was probably added in the 8th century. Here are scenes from Christ's life which recall a plebeian taste for narrative, and also present are the Evangelists in the four corners.