Italy 2007 Day 4 Justinian in Ravenna

We never have enough time, but a lifetime might not be enough, so we take what we can get.  As we leave Venice, I always look ahead to Ravenna.  I came here with Pete on my first Sabbatical in 1987.  I had been teaching the Survey of Art course and wanted to see the great Byzantine mosaics for myself.  I was not disappointed.  Justinian I and his era has become a real interest to me.  Especially after going to Istanbul to see his famous Hagia Sophia.  Here he is in Ravenna where he probably never visited, making sure you know who your earthly ruler is ( in Christ's  place).  You have to love that old Roman sense of decoration with the newest best medium of colored glass and gold mosaic.  It gives you a sense of what we have lost in church art.