Final answer:
Mosaics are artworks created by arranging small pieces of materials called tesserae on a surface to form images or patterns, using glue and grout to secure and seal the design.
This durable form of art has been used historically on floors, walls, and ceilings, requiring skill and patience to produce.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mosaics are a form of artwork that involves piecing together small bits known as tesserae to create detailed images or patterns. These tiny pieces could be made of stone, glass, ceramic, or even metal.
The process of creating a mosaic begins with artists sketching a design on a wall or ceiling, then adhering the tesserae onto the surface using a special type of glue. Once the glue dries, grout is spread over the entire piece to fill in the gaps between the tesserae and to seal the mosaic, ensuring its durability.
Mosaics have been used throughout history, from decorating ancient Roman and Greek floors to embellishing the walls and domes of Byzantine churches.
They have the ability to capture intricate designs and images, with larger mosaics viewed from a distance creating a coherent image despite being made of numerous small pieces.
This art form requires great skill and patience, especially when working on a monumental scale, such as in the Hagia Sophia, where the creation of its mosaics took over twenty years.