Medieval Mosaics

Istanbul, Hagia Sophia, the Deesis Panel

Era	13AD
Location	Sultan Ahmet Mahallesi, Ayasofya Meydanı, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
Placement	On the west wall of the south gallery

Deesis is a Greek word meaning prayer. A scene with Christ in the centre, flanked by his mother Mary on his right hand and St John the Baptist on his left hand is known by art historians by this title. That's what's going on in this mosaic. Christ is in the centre, holding a book (the Gospels) and blessing with his right hand. Mary is on his right, our left, looking towards him, head inclined. John the Baptist, looking wild and woolly as only that prophet could is on his left, our right. It's a huge panel (SIZE).

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