Arrivaderci Paradise!

This mosaic is a detail from an enormous 900-year-old mosaic flooring from the Norman cathedral in Otranto, Italy. The whole thing is huge, about 40 by 20 meters. There’s all kinds of subjects: religious, pagan, historical, and just plain made up. This one shows Adam and Eve being expelled from the Garden of Eden. Adam seems quite happy and gives a cheery wave goodbye. In fact, rather than being expelled by the angel it looks more like Adam is saying “We’re outta here” and the angel is imploring them to reconsider. Anyway, I love these cartoonish mosaics and they’re one of the many great things to see in the south of Italy.