Medusa Mosaic, a photo from Alexandria, Inland

Photographer's Note

A Greco Roman Mosaic of a Medusa, recovered from the Diana Theatre in Alexandria, now in the city's archeological museum. It dates from the 2nd century AD during Roman rule of the city, which lasted until 641 AD. The Medusa was a woman in Greek mythology with live snakes instead of hair, and statues or portraits of her were often used to guard public buildings from evil spirits. Those who gazed into her eyes would turn to stone.

Diana was the Roman equivalent of the earlier Greek Goddess Artemis. I've cropped tightly at the top because a large chunk was missing and damaged. There was literally nothing to see here!

https://helenmilesmosaics.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/medusa-head-zippytales.-484x500.jpg

ikeharel, holmertz, pierrefonds, alvaraalto, Royaldevon, Fis2, PaulVDV, jhm, COSTANTINO, adramad oznaczył to zdjęcie jeko użyteczne

Critiques | Translate

ikeharel (112521) 2020-12-30 3:36

Centuries ago there were no cameras, Chris, so people may had been more skillful to express art, mosaics as sculptures and paintings.
Wonderful close up on the displayed goddess and the suround pattern in 3D effect.
Impressive !!
Good evening and a happy new year,
Ike

holmertz (102066) 2020-12-30 4:22

Hello Chris,
This mosaic seems very familiar, but I'm not sure if there are many similar ones in the region or if this is the one seen reproduced in art and history books. Some parts are missing, which shouldn't be a surprise after 1900 years. It's still an impressive work, captured with fine colours and sharpness.
Regards,
Gert

pierrefonds (113676) 2020-12-30 4:47

Bonjour Chris,

Le cadrage serré met l'oeuvre d'art en évidence. La prise de vue permet de voir les détails de la mosaďque de la Méduse. La lumičre rehausse les couleurs de l'image. Bonne journée.

Pierre

alvaraalto (42804) 2020-12-30 4:53

Hello Chris,
After twenty centuries it is a miracle that we can still admire so much of this beautiful mosaic.
The test of time and the roughness of humanity are the greatest dangers to such art.
Well done
Best wishes for a liberating and healthy 2021, Rob

Silvio1953 (220717) 2020-12-30 5:01

Ciao Chris, great view of fantastic mosaic, wonderful colors, fine details and splendid sharpness, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

Royaldevon (85674) 2020-12-30 5:12

Hello Chris,

This is a beautiful mosaic.
It reveals just how skilled the Romans had become at this type of artistic style. The face of Medusa is clear and one of the eyes still shows the glint in her eye. The pattern, extending from her face, creates an impression of outwards movement, maybe of the snakes; it is so well designed.

You have cropped the mosaic to show us the details, which are sharp and colourful.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

Fis2 (169847) 2020-12-30 6:22

Witaj Chris!
Interesting view.
Fragment of mosaic is impressive.
Good POV, colors and light.
I like it.
Well done.
Warm regards.
Krzysztof

pajaran (115025) 2020-12-30 7:47

Pozdrav.
lep mozaik, dobro pokazan sa lepim bojama, kontrastom i dobrim tekstom.
lepa fotografija i detalji na mozaiku.
Zelim vam lepo popodne, sve najbolje.
Paja.

PaulVDV (62810) 2020-12-30 8:36

Hello Chris,
A very beautiful mosaic in very attractive colours.
Excellently presented as if you were right in front of it.
I don't remember I've seen this mosaic in Alexandria.
Best regards, Paul

jhm (211734) 2020-12-30 9:38

Hello Chris,

Mosaic, always very difficult to make an artwork, I know very well mosaic.
A little bit restauration shall here are need.
Perfect photographed
As well as colours as sharpness
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

Tue (91658) 2020-12-30 9:55

Hello Chris,
A beautiful ancient mosaic with Medusa's head in the middle and the snakes clearly visible as well. The mix of yellow, green and red tones is very attractive also.
Lars

lousat (138683) 2020-12-30 11:47

Hi Chris,original cut for tis beautiful mosaic in the Alexandria museum, i been in this city but not there,excellent capture with fine details and bright colors as usual. Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

abmdsudi (95869) 2020-12-30 20:55

Hi Chris
A delight to look at and marvel at the skill of those who made this fine pieces of art. It amazes me that anything so delicate could survive 2000 years in such good condition. Wonderfully captured, Congrats
Best regards

ifege (47069) 2020-12-30 21:47

Hi Chris
A good photo of this great old mosaic in reasonable condition.
cheers
Ian

vjmite (6526) 2020-12-30 22:29

Hi Chris,
Your crop produced a nicely balanced composition, even though it was dictated by circumstances. The Romans knew how to make a good mosaic, and their mosaics have survived better than any other artworks. But how did anyone know what Medusa looked like, if everyone who saw her turned to stone? Great sharpness and exposure.
Vince

COSTANTINO (115605) 2020-12-30 23:01

Hello dear Chris
spectacular piece of art this
Greco Roman Mosaic of a Medusa!!!!!!!
thanks for your useful notes about
the Medusa a woman in Greek
mythology...
well done
regards
costantino

everlasting (19680) 2021-01-01 7:55

This mosaic has certainly stood the test of time and you have captured it perfectly with fine details and light.

mkamionka (73500) 2021-01-01 10:57

Hi Chris,
this is one of the most important towns in Egypt and yet nowadays so much less popular among tourists than other locations. I would love to visit it someday.
Nice detail here, very well captured.
Excellent work,
M

emka (157280) 2021-01-01 11:14

Hello Chris, Wonderful mosaic, well preserved. I was in Alexandria but I do not remember if I was in the museum. It was in 1989. I have seen the very beautiful sculpture of Medusa in Didyma (Turkey), you probably were there.
Happy New Year

MAlgo

jmdias (114360) 2021-01-03 8:33

chris

I saw many roman mosaics, some are poor artistically and other are rich. this is special in terms of quality with a portrait of medusa well done and these many different colors. nice image.

take care

jorge

adramad (72592) 2021-01-03 11:33

Hello Chris.
Wonderful mosaic with the face of the Medusa, tremendous work with those small tiles, to make the design that fills the circle and with such a variety of colors.
Good management, both in terms of brightness and sharpness.
Very well done. I like it.
Have a good week.
My best wishes for you.
Luis