the ancient, roman ambition to make their massive concrete and brick domes seem to float on air is achieved brilliantly in the santa constanza. the large windows high above the floor concentrate the light on the dome which - in apparent denial of its weight - is supported on columns only.
santa constanza, rome, probably mausoleum to constantia, daughter of emporer constantine, AD 350.
the original roman mosaics that covered the inside of the dome survived into the era of the counter-reformation when all the ancient churches of rome were done up with devastating results.
more words,
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