Location in the architectural complex:
Northern aisle
Mosaic floor
Illustrative material:
Composition:
The undamaged surface contains 12 animal scenes, probably the mosaic contained additional scenes. Three of the scenes pertain to hunting, five depict various daily themes and include animal and human figures and two are difficult to identify. The hunting scenes include a horseman spearing a leopard with a lance, a hunter on foot holding a sword and shield, a hunting hound with a collar and leash chasing a hare and an antelope, a lion attacking a bull and a griffon seizing a swan. The five peaceful scenes depict a lioness and her cub, a man milking a goat, an elephant, and a giraffe, zebras, and two grazing sheep. The main field is surrounded by a guilloche design and an ornamental band made up of paired lines that form waves. The figures are rendered in a highly naturalistic fashion, yet the human figures although Hellenistic in nature are fully dressed instead of nude. The artist employed great attention to detail, light, and shade using a wide range of colors. The style coined the "Gaza mosaic school" by Avi-Yona was active between the 4th and 6th centuries. Mosaics belonging to this school have similar compositions containing animals and other motifs arranged in a symmetrical manner, medallions, vine scrolls and amphoras. The Kissufim mosaic can perhaps be considered a later developed stage of this style.
Comments:
The inscription above the hunting scene featuring a man spearing a leopard reads: "The work of Alexander" is debated. Perhaps, it is the signature of the artist or more likely, as the inscription is not given separate space, it refers to the deeds of Alexander the great. Hunting scenes were very popular and are found in many Byzantine mosaic pavements. A few feature hunting scenes depicting Alexander the Great.
Discussion:
The popular inclusion of hunting scenes in churches faced opposition from a number of clerics during the 5th century, as they are a pagan costume.
Inscriptions