This tag was created by Margaret McCracken.
Floor Mosaic Process
Maggie McCracken, Class of 2025, College of the Holy Cross
How was this floor mosaic made?
Mosaics are made of hundreds or thousands of small pieces laid into a bed of mortar. Step up close to the piece to see these pixels.
The small pieces are called tesserae. They can be made of a variety of materials but because this one was a surface people walked on it is made of durable stone. The stone could be from a local supply or acquired through trade. The artist can make the small tiles the size and shape he needs by lightly hammering a larger piece against a chisel.