The artwork titled “Mosaic Icon up to the Hagia Sophia Entrance,” created by Byzantine Mosaics around the year 1000, exemplifies the Middle Byzantine period within the Macedonian Renaissance (867–1056). This religious painting, executed using the medium of mosaic, forms part of a series adorning the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey, where it is permanently located.
The artwork prominently features the Theotokos, or Virgin Mary, enthroned and holding the Christ Child, signifying her prominent role in Byzantine iconography. Flanking them are two Byzantine emperors, identified through inscriptions: Emperor Constantine the Great offering a model of the city of Constantinople and Emperor Justinian presenting a model of the Hagia Sophia itself. The figures, rendered in intricate tesserae, display the characteristic stylization and solemnity of Byzantine religious art. The backdrop of gold tesserae creates a divine and timeless space, emphasizing the holy significance of the depicted figures. The use of rich colors and the detailed patterns on the emperors’ robes highlight the luxurious aesthetic of the Macedonian Renaissance, illustrating the blend of religious devotion and imperial propaganda in Byzantine art.