ARTS 1A: Discussion 3
Selfhood in art
This week we’ll consider imagery related to selfhood: those things about us that make up our individuality. Please see above a detail of the mosaic representation of the Empress Theodora, made in the sixth century. Address ANY of the following questions in your discussion post:
1. Looking closely at this mosaic image, what do you think Theodora was like as a person? 2. Theodora’s public life included maintaining both political and religious roles in society.
In what ways are her public duties communicated to viewers by this portrait?
3. In what ways did the mosaicist succeed in communicating that the empress was an actual person with a physical body rather than simply a head of state?
4. With all of these things in mind, who was Theodora—what constituted her “selfhood”?
Use the mosaic itself to answer this question.