Learning through Art: The Crucifixion Mosaic

Mosaic by Fr Marko Ivan Rupnik S.J. Looking at the mosaic in more detail, we see certain unusual features in its composition. Here we can see the pieces of mosaic, called tesserae, more clearly. At the Aletti Study and Research Centre, Rome where this mosaic was made, all the pieces are cut by hand to ensure natural irregular shapes and textures and only natural coloured marble is used. For strongly coloured highlights, such as the pupils of the eyes, an ancient method of making resin is used instead.