Who created deesis mosaic?

A drawing of the Deesis was made during the summer of 1936 in 7 parts by Adli Bey – a Turkish architectural student. The drawing of the Zoe panel and the John panel was done by a Russian, Nicholas Kluge. The work of tracing the mosaics was tedious and took months to complete.

What happened to the original mosaics in the Hagia Sophia?

The original mosaics were not destroyed by the Ottoman conquerors but merely covered up when the city was captured in 1453. When Hagia Sophia was converted into a museum, they were uncovered so that visitors would enjoy them.

What is the deesis mosaic made out of?

It is made of Proconnesian panels with one square of Pavonzetto on the left. This was probably added during the Fosatti restoration. From watercolors made by the Fosattis we know that the bottom part of the mosaic was gone down to the level of the bricks by the time they uncovered it.

When was the deesis mosaic created?

The actual date of the mosaic is unknown, but two possibilities prevail: late 12th century, just before the Fourth Crusaders captured the city in 1204; mid to late 1260s, immediately after the recovery of the city by Michael VIII Palaiologos from the Fourth Crusaders in 1261.

Where is the deesis mosaic located?

basilica of Hagia Sophia
English: The Deësis mosaic in the basilica of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul probably dates from 1261. It is the third mosaic panel situated in the imperial enclosure of the upper galleries. The Deësis mosaic is made from many tesserae, and is considered the finest in the Hagia Sophia.

What does the Greek word deesis mean?

Greek deēsis entreaty, prayer, from dein to lack, miss, deisthai to beg.

Can you still see the mosaics in Hagia Sophia?

When Hagia Sophia was turned back into a mosque in 2020, there was uncertainty about the status of the mosaics. However, as of July 2021, all mosaics on the ground floor of Hagia Sophia are open.

What is deesis mosaic?

The Deësis mosaic in Hagia Sophia The monumental Deësis mosaic depicts Christ flanked by the Virgin Mary and John the Baptist approximately two and a half times larger than life. This type of image is referred to as a deësis (δέησις), which means “entreaty,” suggesting an act of asking, pleading, begging.

What is the deesis mosaic?

What is the Theotokos mosaic?

The Theotokos mosaic of the Virgin and Child, in the central apse of the Hagia Sophia, is believed to reconstruct an earlier sixth century mosaic destroyed during Iconoclasm. It combines the Early Byzantine style with the new development of softer folds, increased modeling, and the addition of perspective .

How do you pronounce deesis?

noun, plural de·e·ses [dee-ee-seez].

What is the meaning of Aya Sophia?

holy wisdom
Image credit: Tatiana Popova Shutterstock) The Hagia Sophia, whose name means “holy wisdom,” is a domed monument originally built as a cathedral in Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey) in the sixth century A.D.

When was the Deesis mosaic made in Hagia Sophia?

The Deesis Mosaic in Hagia Sophia. In Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia, visitors to the south gallery (upstairs) can find a fantastic mosaic image of the Deesis. Made in the late 13th century (possibly 1261), this is the highest detail mosaic in the church and one of the most impressive mosaics in the world.

Who is at the center of the Deesis mosaic?

In Deesis depictions, Christ as Pantocrator sits enthroned in heaven at the center, flanked by the Virgin Mary and John the Baptist. Theme of mercy in judgment of humanity.

How is the Deesis mosaic of Christ created?

One of the things about the mosaic of the Deesis is the light rakes across the surface and dives into transparent glass cubes. This both lightens them in color and charges them up with an unearthly energy. The artists were able to get the colors right. When you take a picture with artificial light from the front this effect is totally lost.

How did Alwyn green make the Deesis mosaic?

Below you will see a picture from the 1940 that shows the English artist, Alwyn Green, who created a hand-painted replica of the Deesis. Below that image is one of George Holt of Bennington College who perfected the process of casting the actual mosaic cubes.