The artwork titled “Mosaic of a Wild Boar on the Northern Aisle Floor of the Byzantine Church of Petra” was created by the group known as “Byzantine Mosaics” around c.450 – c.550. This mosaic, a quintessential representation of the Early Byzantine art movement (c. 330–750), employs the medium of mosaïque to depict animal painting. It is part of a series located in a Byzantine church in Petra, Jordan, featuring intricate and historically significant design elements.
The artwork portrays a wild boar, masterfully constructed from small pieces of stone and glass, known as tesserae. The boar is depicted in a naturalistic stance, with detailed attention given to the texture and appearance of its fur and physical form. The mosaic employs a limited but effective color palette, utilizing shades of brown, black, and beige to bring the animal to life against a geometric patterned background. This mosaic not only serves as a remarkable piece of art but also offers insight into the aesthetic and cultural values of the Byzantine era in Petra, Jordan.
