Theodora and Her Court in Ravenna

This mosaic shows the empress Theodora and members of her court presenting a gift to the church at San Vitale in Ravenna. It faced the matching scene of her husband Justinian and his attendants. Theodora wears the jewels, pearls, and rich robes characteristic of eastern Roman monarchs. She extends in her hands a gem-encrusted wine cup as her present. Her gesture imitates the gift-giving of the Magi to the baby Jesus, the scene illustrated on the hem of her garment. The circle around her head, called a nimbus (Latin for “cloud”), indicates special holiness. (Basilica San Vitale, Ravenna, Italy / Bridgeman Images.)