Westminster Abbey: 12th-Century Mosaic Floor at the Sanctuary

Currently not on view

Westminster Abbey: 12th-Century Mosaic Floor at the Sanctuary

1911

Frederick H. Evans (British, 1853–1943)

Although Evans indicated that this mosaic floor was created in the twelfth century, the surface surrounding the High Altar of Westminster Abbey was in fact laid in 1268. King Henry III (1207-1272) commissioned the mosaic from Roman craftsmen who specialized in the opus sectile, or "cut work" technique, commonly called "Cosmati" after a well-known Italian family of mosaic artists. Materials used here include blue, red, and turquoise glass as well as yellow limestone, purple porphyry, green serpentine, and onyx. Evans's unusual composition privileges the floor, drawing attention to the intricate and abstract design of squares, rectangles, and roundels.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Westminster Abbey: 12th-Century Mosaic Floor at the Sanctuary

Date:

1911

Artist:

Frederick H. Evans (British, 1853–1943)

Medium:

Platinum print

Dimensions:

Image and sheet: 7 5/16 × 8 7/8 inches (18.6 × 22.6 cm) Mount: 22 1/8 × 15 3/16 inches (56.2 × 38.6 cm)

Classification:

Photographs

Credit Line:

Purchased with the Lola Downin Peck Fund, 1969

Accession Number:

1969-35-18

Geography:

Photograph taken in Westminster Abbey, London, England, Europe

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Currently not on view