On north wall of the Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, a massive mosaic depicts a procession of twenty-two virgin martyrs towards the Virgin Mary who is depicted in the nave. Twenty-two female martyrs process toward the Virgin and Child, each dressed in the Byzantine style. They are shown with braided hair, fixed with jewels, and a white veil. A gold halo surrounds their head. Each woman holds a crown, representing her martyrdom. Between each woman is a palm tree, echoing this theme. Their names are listed above their heads; they are Euphemia, Pelagia, Agatha, Agnes, Eulalia, Caecilia, Lucia, Crispina, Valeria, Vincentia, Perpetua, Felicitas, Iustina, Anastasia, Daria, Emerentiana, Paulina, Victoria, Anatolia, Cristina, Sabina, and Eugenia. The women represent a wide swath of society and status, including virgins (e.g., Agnes and Iustina), wives (e.g., Daria and Cecelia), mothers (e.g., Perpetua and Valeria), slaves (e.g., Felicitas) and slave owners (e.g., Euginia).
Title of Art: (Procession of Women Martyrs)
Subjects: Euphemia, Pelagia, Agatha, Agnes, Eulalia, Caecilia, Lucia, Crispina, Valeria, Vincentia, Perpetua, Felicitas, Iustina, Anastasia, Daria, Emerentiana, Paulina, Victoria, Anatolia, Cristina, Sabina, Eugenia
Ritual Pose/Object: crown, palm tree, lamb
Art Form: Mosaic
Exhibit Institution: Basilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo
Exhibit Location: Ravenna, Italy
VM Image #: 0014
Photographer: Shala Graham
Date of Photograph: January 2, 2023
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