As far as composition, the Parting of Whole lot and Abraham is a variety with major foreground characters which improves the message from the artist because the main of the Biblical story is definitely displayed in a really direct and powerful way through the two characters, Lot and Abraham, who are put in the foreground. One of the most exclusive features as far as its symbolic connotation is the fact that the two characters are put in the center of the mosaic having a considerable distance between them which emphasizes the irreversible decision to part. Being a mural, the mosaic expands up high on the wall membrane of the basilica with a breadth of about 5foot, running throughout the nave church aisle at a very high level. Abraham is portrayed on our left going towards Canaan. On each of our right we can see Lot going the opposite approach, i. e. towards Sodom with his two daughters. There exists a very theatrical feeling about the mosaic. From this sense, the figures are somewhat set as the gesture and mimics are stage like, and the actions appears basic. This technique is required in order to bring the attention to the significance in back of the facts and figures offered by the mosaic.
The mass behind the 2 figures which can be placed in foreground is demonstrated using darker contrasting colors and hues which have passed considerably after some time. In fact , the mass of heads in the back is a common Roman art device suggesting that the division isn’t just between Whole lot and Abraham, but between two peoples, and finally, two meaning categories, we. e. great and nasty. The shade providing also offers a three dimensional impact to the variety, this becoming a highly characteristic quality of Roman artwork. non-etheless, the illusion of spatial depth is decreased by the strong outline of the figures. The cities are at best advised, as Roman art generally speaking does not give attention to a duplication of accurate landscapes, nevertheless on sketches which replace the illusion of fact and “trueness. ” Moreover, the size of human being and pet figures is not true to real ratios because the variety is mostly symbolical, not mimetic.
God only speaks to Abraham following Lot’s leaving because Abraham’s nephew is corrupted by the pursuit of prosperity that results in Lot dropping all his spiritual beliefs which in turn, alienates him by God. For that reason God does not address Abraham while the latter is traveling with Lot, when their quest, when The almighty tells Abraham that his offspring is going to inherit the land and receive His blessing. Through this sense, the fact that Abraham decides to go the opposite method from Great deal is highly symbolical of the dichotomy between the two of these characters which is brilliantly illustrated in the variety where the two do not stand close together, tend to be depicted as divergent. Nevertheless , the strife and the following rupture within Abraham’s family members do not stay confined within the limits of just one family’s break, but are deeply metaphorical since Abraham’s family is made up of the only followers of God in which particular time. Similarly, Lot’s choice signifies the distinction between him self and Abraham on a symbolical level. He chooses the fertile therefore economically successful lands around Sodom without taking into account God’s is going to and the meaning value of his choice. On the other hand, Abraham not only allows Lot to help make the choice, yet decides to visit the opposite course establishing a moral resistance between him self and his nephew. The mosaic Parting of Lot and Abraham shows much more than the facts presented in the Holy book and the Torah. Its that means extends and encompasses symbolical references to good and evil, right and wrong, and thus manages to convey more than a factual portrayal of an function, but also the latter’s deeply metaphorical level.
Augustine, Saint. Metropolis of God. Trans. Marcus D. Deb. Dods. Ny: Modern Collection, 1950: 543.
Fortner, Kemudian. “The Turmoil between Abraham and Great deal John some: 26. http://grace-for-today.com/1772.htm
The Esoteric Explanation of Lot’s Separating from Abraham. ” Sacred texts. http://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/zdm/zdm098.htm
Touitou, Elazar. “Basic Legislation Studies Unit. ” 2005. Bar-Ilan School. The Faculty of Jewish Studies. http://www.biu.ac.il/JH/Parasha/eng/lekh/lech1.html