By CONNOR RYAN
STAFF WRITER
One mosaic acquired by the university. (Courtesy of Fordham)
An unnamed donor gave Fordham’s Museum of Greek, Etruscan and Roman Art nine stone mosaics from a church that was built in the fifth century in what is now Syria — “a time when Christian art was still inflected with pagan images and the cross had yet to become the dominant symbol of the faith” in December, according to a statement from the school.
Speaking of the newly acquired artworks, Jennifer Udell, the curator of Fordham’s art, said in a statement: “It certainly is proof of an established religion gaining hold, and being an important enough religion to engender building projects with beautiful mosaics. We didn’t have anything like them so they’ve really increased the scope of our holdings.”
The art will be on display in the museum, which is located in Rose Hill’s Walsh Library. It is unclear how much money the art is worth.
