The Epiphany
5th century
Mosaic
Basilica
of Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome
Unlike later Epiphanies, this image relegates the Virgin Mary to a
secondary position to the right of the Christ Child's impressive throne
and does not represent the Magi as holding their gifts out toward the
child.
As in many early Epiphany images the gifts are on plates and the Magi
wear Phrygian
caps.
This image forms the second register of the mosaics on the left side of
the
arch before the apse. On the right side there is also a mosaic of the Magi's consultation with Herod. Click here for the other mosaics in
the arch.
More of the Epiphany
Photographed at the
site by Richard Stracke
