Tiger attacking a calf

This beautiful mosaic representing a Tiger attacking a calf, was made with the technique of the "Opus Sectile" very common in the low Empire and Byzantine time. The Opus Sectile consists of using marbles embedded colors, distinct and irregular forms, later these shapes will be copied by the Gothic stained glass in the middle ages. This technique was mainly used to cover walls. The mosaic comes from the ancient Basilica of Junius Bassus, a civil basilica of ancient Rome that was located in the Esquilino Hill, today this area is occupied by the Pontifical Seminary di Studi Orientali. Mosaic form part of the Roman art of the Capitoline museums collection, is currently displayed in the Palazzo dei Conservatori. I used to be an intern in Musei Capitolini - it is a beautiful place, which you should visit someday.