Mosaics play a large role in Byzantine art. I, for one, am amazed at the intricacy and extensiveness of the mosaics created in buildings like the Hagia Sophia (pictured above). Just imagine how much work and time was spent making this world-famous architectural marvel what it is today. The colors used are beautiful, yet not over-the-top. The golden yellow gives warmth to the building. This is a truly stunning cathedral, holding much visual and spiritual beauty. Mosaics often had the purpose of telling a story or symbolizing something in the Christian religion. Christ the Pantocrator, pictured below, was one of the first images created in early Christian art and represtents "all-powerful" Christ. You can find this image in various Chrsitian churches across Europe.
