Images: Christian Iconography (select color images: Peter and Paul; Philip); color and black and white images in Demus (1984)
Clavis number: ECMA 110
Other descriptors: none
Location: the San Marco Basilica in Venice, Italy
Category: mosaics
Related literature: Apostolic Histories
Featured characters and locations: see below.
1. DESCRIPTION
Material: paint on stone
Size: not provided
Date and Provenance: the San Marco Basilica mosaics were started and funded by Doge Domenico Selvo in the early eleventh century and completed around the twelfth century. The martyrology mosaics included in the south vault of the west dome are considered the original medieval versions completed in the twelfth century. They have undergone several restorations, although none of which have changed the entirety of the images presented. Towards the late sixteenth century and early seventeenth century the north side of the west vault was impacted by a number of fires, earthquakes, and damage from warfare. The five martyrologies were replaced with baroque versions between 1619 and 1624.
1.1 North Vault
I. Martyrdom of Peter and Paul
Description: (from left to right) the dispute with Simon Magus before Nero, the crucifixion of Peter, and the beheading of Paul. In the upper center we see the fall of Simon Magus. The tower from which Simon Magus falls is missing from the original rendering. Inscription: NERO IMPERATOR UTRISQUE APOSTOLIS NECEM DARI, ALTERUM CRUCIFIGI ALTERUM VERO GLADIO INTERFICI IUSSIT.
Featured characters and locations: Simon (Magus), Nero, Paul (apostle), Peter (apostle).
Related apocryphal literature: Passion of Peter, Martyrdom of Blessed Peter the Apostle, by Pseudo-Linus), Passion of Paul, Martyrdom of the Blessed Apostle Paul, by Pseudo-Linus), Passion of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul (Ps.-Marcellus), Passion of the Apostles Peter and Paul.
II. Death of John
Description: (from left to right) John being boiled in oil with Domitian looking on, self-burial with the angels readying for his ascension. Inscription: DOMITIANUS—VIVUS SUBINTRAT TUMULUM.
Featured characters and locations: Domitian, John (son of Zebedee).
Related apocryphal literature: Acts of John (Latin), Passion of John, by Pseudo-Melito).
III. Martyrdom of James, son of Zebedee
Description: (left) debate between priests and the James; (right) beheading ordered by King Herod Agrippa. Inscription: IUDEA. SCS IACOBUS OCCIDITUR IUSSU HERODIS REGIS. JERUSALEM.
Featured characters and Location: Herod Agrippa, James (son of Zebedee), Jerusalem.
Related apocryphal literature: Passion of James, Son of Zebedee
IV. Martyrdom of Andrew
Description: (top image) Andrew crucified before Aegeates. Inscription: SCS ANDREAS IN CRUCE SIC PATITUR.
Featured characters and locations: Aegeates (proconsul), Aegeates.
Related apocryphal literature: Epistle of the Presbyters and Deacons of Achaea, Passion of Andrew
V. Martyrdom of Thomas
Description: (bottom image, left) Thomas before King Gundaphorus giving money to the poor; (right) the collapse of the temple of the sun and his martyrdom where he is pierced with a spear. Inscription: REX INDORUM GUNDAPHORUS. SC THOMAS APLUS.
Featured characters and locations: Gundaphorus/Condiphorus, Thomas (apostle).
Related apocryphal literature: Passion of Thomas
1.2 South Vault
VI. Martyrdom of James, the Righteous
Description: (left to right) “Jews” look on as James is pushed off of the temple; James is struck with a stick/fuller’s club by “Pharisees”; James is placed in a coffin by an unnamed follower. Inscription: IVDEI; PELITVR A TERGO PERCVSSVS OBIT. SEPELITVR–S. JACOBVS–FARISEI–JERVSALEM.
Featured characters and locations: James (the Righteous), temple (Jerusalem).
Related apocryphal literature: Passion of James, Brother of the Lord
VII. Martyrdom of Philip
Description: (left) men tear down the idol of Mars; (center) Philip raised men slain by the dragon; (right) the apostle is buried by two unnamed figures. Inscription: MARS RVIT. ANGVIS ABIT. SVRGVNT. GENS SCITICA CREDIT.–SKYTE. SCS PHILIPPVS APOSTOLVS REDIENS A SCITIS IHERAPOLI IN PACE QVIEVIT.
Featured characters and locations: Hierapolis, Philip (apostle).
Related apocryphal literature: Acts of Philip (Latin)
VIII. Martyrdom of Bartholomew
Description: (left) Bartholomew preaches to the Indians; (right) he is flayed. Inscription: INDIA SVPERIOR. QVA PREDICANS SCS BARTHOMOLEVS OCCIDITVR.–EXCORIANT. SCINDVNT. VICTI DE VINCERE FINGVNT.–PONTEFICES.
Featured characters and locations: Bartholomew (apostle), India.
Related apocryphal literature: Passion of Bartholomew
IX. Martyrdom of Matthew
Description: (left) Matthew baptizes King Egippus of Ethiopia and his family; (right) a soldier holds a sword to Matthew’s neck at the order of King Hyrtacus. Inscription: ETIOPIA VBI REGEM EGIPPVM CVM SVIS BAPTIZAVIT S. MATHEVS.–HOS LAVACRO CVRAT. PATITVR SACRIFICANS ORAT.–HIRTACVS REX HVIC PRECEPT HVNC FERIENDO FINIRE. In book on altar: IN MANVS TVAS DOMINE COMMENDO FERIENDO FINIRE.
Featured characters and locations: Eglippus, Egypt, Ethiopia, Hyrtacus, Matthew (apostle).
Related apocryphal literature: Passion of Matthew
X. Martyrdom of Simon and Jude
Description: (left) Simon points to top of column from which the idol of the sun falls; soldiers, one with a sword, face Simon; (right) a mirror image of image on left but depicting Jude. Inscriptions: IVSSV SANCTOVM PEREVNT SIMVLACRA DEORUM. On left: STATVA SOLID.–CAVSA SVBVERSIONIS STATVE SOLIS OCCISVS EST.–S. SYMON. On right: STATVA LVNE. PROPTER SVBVERSIONEM SIMVLACRI LVNE OCCISVS EST. S. JVDAS.
Featured characters and locations: Judas (not Iscariot, apostle), Simon (the Canaanite/Zealot).
Related apocryphal literature: Passion of Simon and Jude
3. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Cartlidge, David R., and J. Keith Elliott. Art and the Christian Apocrypha. London and New York: Routledge, 2001 (pp. 178–80).
Demus, Otto. The Church of San Marco in Venice: History, Architecture, Sculpture. Washington: Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection, 1960.
__________. The Mosaic Decoration of San Marco Venice. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1988 (pp. 79–85).
__________. The Mosaics of San Marco in Venice. 2 vols. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1984.
4. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
“Basilica di San Marco.” Patriarcato di Venezia.
“St. Mark’s Basilica.” Wikipedia.
Entry created by Darby Alvarenga, under the supervision of Christy Cobb, University of Denver, 10 December 2023.