Collection

Bearded Man, c. A.D. 400

Roman


Mosaic floor decoration in Early Christian churches consists of animal and plant imagery, while mosaics depicting sacred personages and biblical narratives usually appeared on walls and ceilings. Although the identity of this bearded man is unknown, his iconic, frontal pose and serene expression indicate that he may represent a biblical figure, though not all church decoration at this time was overtly Christian in iconography.

Provenance

Provenance

(Elie Borowski [1913-2003] Basel, Switzerland);

purchased by Kimbell Art Foundation, Fort Worth, 1972.