Ravenna Mosaics: The Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, the Cathedral Baptistery, the Archiepiscopal Chapel, the Baptistery of the Arians, the Basilica of Sant’ Apollinare Nuova, the Church of San Vitale, the Basilica of Sant’ Apollinare in Classe

1978

Central NA3780 BS35 1978

Oxford: Phaidon

When he went to Ravenna, Yeats visited the sixth-century church Sant’ Apollinare Nuovo and was inspired by the lush and magnificent rows of mosaics lining its walls. One row depicts a long procession of martyred saints, who move towards the figure of Christ seated on his throne and flanked by four angels. Part of that procession is displayed here. In ‘Sailing to Byzantium,’ these figures become Yeats’ ‘sages standing in God’s holy fire,’ ‘the singing-masters’ of his soul.