Gregory's papierdoreilles!

Cod.339, Homilies by Gregory of Nazianzus, f. 4v, 
Sinai, St. Catherine Monastery, 32,3x25,4 cm, 1136 – 1155

Photo © Francesca Zabarella

This is the first byzantine illumination converted in pair of earring ever!
It’s one of my favourite pieces, coming from the reproduction on photographic paper (then strengthened and plasticised) of a byzantine manuscript (11th century) hosted in orthodox St. Catherine complex, on Mount Sinai, in Egypt. The book contains the Homilies of Gregorius Nazianzenus, archbishop of Constantinople during the 4^th century. 

I knew this image two years ago, during my researches for a byzantine art exhibition in Rome, and I found it amazing particularly because of the skill in rendering every marble variety and typology. I like the presence of the iconographic motive of the knotted column too. Visually it's a kind of magic, don't know, a sort of promise.

Powerful lightness charm.

Here you are.

franci