The Gypsy Girl Mosaic was discovered in the Zeugma Ancient City, located in the Nizip district of Gaziantep, and is a floor mosaic from the Roman period. This work, now exhibited in the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, stands out for its artistic technique and composition. Dated to the 2nd century AD, the mosaic has been considered as part of a large composition that adorned the floor of a Roman villa’s dining room (triclinium).【1】
The Zeugma Ancient City is known as one of the trade and military centers located on the eastern frontier of the Roman Empire. Situated on the banks of the Euphrates River, the city secured its economic strength through agriculture, trade, and military activities. Luxurious villas built in Zeugma were adorned with mosaics that reflected the artistic richness of the period.【2】 The Gypsy Girl Mosaic is regarded as an example of this artistic approach.
The figure depicted in the mosaic is portrayed with voluminous, parted hair, prominent cheekbones, large eyes, and interlocking hoop earrings. While this figure may be considered as Mother Earth Gaia, it is also thought to be a Maenad (a woman accompanying Dionysos) due to the vine leaves beside her head.【3】 However, due to significant damage to the surrounding scenes of the mosaic, a definitive interpretation is not possible.
Gypsy Girl Mosaic (Photograph: T.C. Ministry of Industry and Technology Development Gallery)
The “three-quarter view” technique used in Hellenistic painting has been distinctly applied in the Gypsy Girl Mosaic. This technique makes it appear as if the figure is making eye contact with the viewer from every angle. The depth in the figure’s gaze has been particularly emphasized by art historians, and the work has been interpreted as creating an optical effect similar to the Mona Lisa exhibited in the Louvre Museum.【4】
The mosaic was composed of multicolored stones and glass pieces (tesserae). The quality of the materials used and the craftsmanship demonstrate that Zeugma was a city advanced in both artistic and economic aspects. The techniques employed in the making of mosaics reflect the blending of Roman art with Hellenistic influences.
The Gypsy Girl Mosaic suffered significant damage during illicit excavations in the Zeugma Ancient City in the 1960s, and some of its pieces were smuggled abroad. Twelve pieces belonging to the border of the Gypsy Girl Mosaic, which had been exhibited for many years at Bowling Green State University in the USA, were brought to turkiye in 2018 as a result of diplomatic initiatives carried out by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of turkiye. Today, the mosaic is exhibited in the Zeugma Mosaic Museum.【5】
At the time of its discovery, the mosaic was named “Gypsy Girl” among the public, as the physical features of the figure were thought to resemble those of Gypsy women. However, art historians and archaeologists argue that the mosaic does not actually depict a Gypsy woman, but rather a Maenad from the Dionysian cult.
The work is evaluated as part of the artistic and cultural heritage of the Zeugma Ancient City. The Gypsy Girl Mosaic, which attracts interest due to its artistic craftsmanship, techniques used, and historical importance, is today preserved as a symbol of the cultural heritage of Gaziantep and turkiye.
