Publication details
Del vero volto di Ambrogio. Riflessioni sul mosaico absidale di Sant’Ambrogio a Milano in epoca carolingia
| Title in English | The true face of Ambrose. Reflections on the mosaic in the apse of St. Ambrose in Milan during the Carolingian period |
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| Authors | |
| Year of publication | 2013 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Arte Lombarda : Rivista Di Storia Dell´Arte |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Art, architecture, cultural heritage |
| Keywords | Ambrose; face; Peter; mosaic; apse; Milan; Carolingian period |
| Description | In the lower part of the apse of the Basilica Ambrosiana in Milan are represented two scenes from the life of St. Ambrose told by Gregory of Tours and the anonymous De vita et meritis Saints Ambrosii. The current mosaic, depicting the miraculous presence of Ambrose at the funeral of Saint Martin, is the result of a modern replacement. Thanks to some original fragments, however, the original painting can be dated to the ninth century. Beginning from these fragments, this article proposes a new dating and interpreting of this mosaic. The original fragment of the face of St. Ambrose is different from the usual - known from the shrine of San Vittore in ciel d'Oro or from the golden altar of the Basilica Ambrosiana - because he appears with the canonical features of the face of the Apostle Peter. This phenomenon can be seen as a gesture of defiance against Rome, which Peter is the emblematic figure. This hypothesis is confirmed by the political situation in the years of the Archbishop of Milan Ansperto (868-881) when - after a violent conflict with Pope John VIII - the Metropolitan of Milan has been officially deposed and excommunicated by the pope. In this context, the image of the apse Milan becomes understandable. Represented with the face of Peter, Ambrose is perceived as an alter Petrus, whose prestige legitimizes the position of the Church Ambrose, who refuses to submit itself to Rome. |
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