The Pergamon Hellenistic Mosaic was made around the 2nd century BCE. It was rediscovered by Richard Bohn and his archeological team of investigators, in the Altar Room, otherwise known as the Telephos Hall, of Palace V, located in the Pergamon Acropolis, on June 28, 1886. The mosaic itself depicts a member of the species Psittacula eupatria, otherwise known as Alexandrine parakeet, which is named after Alexander the Great. The mosaic also depicts other wildlife, such as garlands that are comprised of fruit, flowers, and leaves. Other animals such as nightingales, woodpeckers, wheateaters, and butterflies are shown in different areas of the mural.
Ancient mosaics were used to festoon buildings of importance such as churches and mausoleums. Evidently, there is a religious significance heavily related to mosaics in ancient times. The Pergamon Hellenistic Mosaic itself was discovered in an alter room, further exemplifying the cultural importance of ancient mosaics.
This piece of art is an example of a mosaic in the style commonly referred to as “opus vermiculatum,” a Latin term that essentially translates to “worm-like work” in English. The tiles themselves are square shaped stones or cube-like fragments of glass, each of which are lined up in rows to create the picture. The materials of mosaics at the time were designed and used to emulate paintings. For the most part, the main subject of the picture was composed of many different colors, all of which were remarkably vibrant. These bright colors were usually surrounded by a dark embroidery to add further emphasis to the dynamism of the image’s focus through contrast. It is believed that the artists of these of mosaics made the actual mosaic in their own workshops before they transported the then complete mosaic to the spot where they were eventually cemented in by concrete and mortar. This process was known as emblemata. The use of this method allowed for the preparation of small and easy to access works that could moved whenever possible to a floor or wall. This also allowed for more adaptability in the event that an unseen occurrence appeared and hindered installation.
Occasionally, mosaic artwork was signed by the artist. For example, the first known artist to sign one of his works was Gnoseis, with his Stag Hunt mosaic floor in the House of the Abduction of Helen, located in Pallas, Greece. Other mosaics at the Pergamon Acropolis bear the signature of Hephaistion, although it is uncertain for sure if he worked on the Pergamon Hellenistic Mosaic. There is also another mosaic artist dated to be working the Pergamon around the same time of the artwork’s constriction. The ancient Roman author Pliny the Elder writes about a mosaic artist named Sosos. However, there are currently no known attributed works created by Sosos.
The modern rendition of the mosaic is actually a partial reconstruction of the original artwork, with pieces from other mosaics being incorporated into the artwork wherever seen fit. The major focus point itself, the parrot, is a completed copy that was finished in 1955, since the original was damaged and only exists in a few pieces. When the original version was removed from the Pergamon Acropolis, the condition of the mosaic began to degrade; thus, a copy was promptly made to demonstrate the artwork. The copy of the mosaic is on display at the Pergamonmuseum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, located in Berlin, Germany.
Arcticle that provides additional information on Ancient Mosaics in religious buildings: https://earlychurchhistory.org/arts/mosaics-in-the-ancient-world/
Bibliography
https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/parrot-mosaic-unknown/dAHr0Sez7P1WiA?hl=en
http://hdl.handle.net/1721.3/146676
http://www.my-favourite-planet.de/english/middle-east/turkey/pergamon/pergamon-photos-02-012.html
MOSAIC PROJECT 23 