Nel lusso della tradizione. L’inedita decorazione del nartece di Santa Sabina all’Aventino a Roma (Il nartece di Santa Sabina, I)

This paper analyzes for the first time the pictorial decoration of the narthex of Santa Sabina on the Aventine Hill in Rome, discovered during recent restoration works (2010-2012). The decoration, covering the upper part of the church facade, consists of large painted panels imitating a lavish marble revetment. The lower part of the façade was instead decorated with real marble, as indicated in at least one textual source (Ugonio, 1588). The absence of holes, metal clamp, or traces of mortar in the masonry, however, suggests that the wall decoration was made of opus sectile and not of marble slabs. Both historically and stylistically the wall decoration can be dated to the first half of the fifth century, contemporary to the construction of the basilica. This paper also highlights the cultural roots of such decoration, finding then in the continuity with the decorative language of Roman art. Finally, this paper addresses the question of the lavishness of the decoration investigating its cultural, political and liturgical context.