Transcript -- Clues that this mosaic was made in a hurry.

The Arts Past and Present: Mosaics - for iPad/Mac/PC

Transcript -- Orpheus

The Arts Past and Present: Mosaics

Transcript -- A short introduction to this album.

Transcript -- The Arts Past and Present: Mosaics

Mosaic Artist Catherine Parkinson goes to visit a Roman Villa, Brading, on the Isle of Wight

Mosaics at Brading Villa

Transcript -- Mosaic Artist Catherine Parkinson goes to visit a Roman Villa, Brading, on the Isle of Wight

Transcript -- Mosaics at Brading Villa

The iconography in this mosaic reveals more than meets the eye.

The Astronomer

Transcript -- The iconography in this mosaic reveals more than meets the eye.

Transcript -- The Astronomer

A mosaic like today's political cartoons.

The Cockheaded Man

Transcript -- A mosaic like today's political cartoons.

Transcript -- The Cockheaded Man

Clues that this mosaic was made in a hurry.

Orpheus

Education

How can we read an image to tell us more about its ancient maker? In this album a mosaic artist, Catherine Parkinson,  visits the splendidly-preserved ancient Roman mosaics at Brading Villa on the Isle of Wight. With the help of two archaeologists she discovers that the iconography  reveals important clues about the villa inhabitants' world view, taste, and aspirations. Their leisure pursuits, the value placed on learning, and their views on men and women are just some of the themes revealed in the mythological narratives. Did the craftsmen bring pattern books to the villa owner so he could choose how to decorate his house, much like today? Catherine's own practical experience of mosaic-making also helps us understand the methods the Romans used to lay the mosaics. In the audio track, Open University classicist Jessica Hughes explores some of the issues surrounding interpretation of these mosaics' meanings. This material forms part of The Open University Course AA100 The arts and past and present.

Transcript -- Orpheus

The Arts Past and Present: Mosaics - for iPad/Mac/PC

More episodes from "The Arts Past and Present: Mosaics - for iPad/Mac/PC"

The Arts Past and Present: Mosaics

Transcript -- The Arts Past and Present: Mosaics

Mosaics at Brading Villa

Transcript -- Mosaics at Brading Villa

The Astronomer

Transcript -- The Astronomer

The Cockheaded Man

Transcript -- The Cockheaded Man

Orpheus

Transcript -- Orpheus