20 Dec 2011

Saint James the Greater and Saint Andrew - Basilica of St. Thérèse of Lisieux

Submitted by walwyn
01/1950
Fri, 09/04/2009 - 13:03 - Basilica of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, France 04/09/2009.
link to flickr

This striking mid-20th-century mosaic from the Basilica of St Thérèse in Lisieux depicts Saint James the Greater and Saint Andrew, rendered in a style that unites modern abstraction with ancient symbolism. The two apostles stand side by side, framed by shimmering gold tesserae that evoke the divine radiance of heaven, their figures composed in angular, rhythmic forms characteristic of sacred art of the period.

On the left, Saint James the Greater is portrayed as the pilgrim apostle. His long staff and the scallop shell, the emblem of the great Camino pilgrimage, mark him as the patron of travellers and seekers of faith. His robes, woven from blues and violets, suggest both humility and spiritual depth, while the strong lines of his posture convey endurance and purpose.

To the right stands Saint Andrew, the brother of Peter, easily recognized by the X-shaped cross upon which he was martyred. His figure is powerful and resolute, draped in robes of deep red and muted grey, colours that hint at sacrifice and steadfastness. The bold diagonal of the cross cuts across the golden background, symbolising both his martyrdom and his unwavering faith.

Between them runs a decorative panel of geometric patterning, its intricate symmetry and golden hues linking the two saints in a shared rhythm of divine harmony. Together, they form a testament to devotion expressed through modern artistry, a fusion of ancient faith and contemporary vision, shimmering with the light of eternity.