Fourth grade has been studying Byzantine art and architecture recently. In particular, we have studied the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian the Great. During his reign, mosaics and icons were typical works of art seen in churches. Mosaics took careful planning and attention to detail. Thousands of glass or stone pieces were carefully selected and placed to create intricate designs and pictures.
To better appreciate the complexity and beauty of mosaics, our class made their own mosaics using colored glass and ceramic tiles. They also had the opportunity to visit a Franciscan monastery this month, which features multiple mosaics depicting the life of Christ. God has gifted people throughout history with the ability to create beautiful works of art. When studying art, our hope is that students learn to appreciate not only the work involved in creating art, but the Creator who bestowed such creativity.
