Mosaics in Santa Maria in Trastevere, Rome (1296-1300)

A number of churches were erected in Rome in the twelfth century, the largest and most important of them being the Santa Maria in Trastevere which replaced an Early Christian basilica from the fourth century. The builder of the church was pope Innocent II (1130-1143). Although the construction was completed only after the death of Innocent II in around 1148, the mosaics in the apse calotte and on the upper part of the apsidal arch were completed during his lifetime.

These mosaics were supplemented toward the end of the thirteenth century by seven more mosaics, six of them narrating the life of the Virgin. Pietro Cavallini is documented as the creator of these mosaics in the apse and on the lower part of the apsidal arch.

The six scenes are the Nativity of the Virgin, the Annunciation, the Nativity of Christ, the Adoration of the Kings, the Presentation in the Temple, and the Dormition. An additional mosaic picture was added to the life of the Virgin which portrays a layman, recommended by St Peter as intercessor, adoring the Virgin and Child.