The artwork, entitled “Virgin Mary on Deesis Mosaic,” was created by Byzantine Mosaics around the year 1261. This piece, composed in the medium of mosaic, is a notable example of the Byzantine and Late Byzantine/Palaeologan Renaissance art movements. It belongs to the genre of religious painting and is part of a series located in the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey.
The artwork depicts the Virgin Mary, characterized by her somber and contemplative expression, as she is a central figure in the Deesis composition. Despite its age, the mosaic retains delicate detailing and a rich palette of colors, predominantly gold and dark shades which highlight the sacred and divine nature of the subject. The partially visible Greek inscriptions add to the historical and cultural significance of this masterpiece, alluding to its origins in the Byzantine artistic tradition. The artwork’s location in the Hagia Sophia further underscores its importance within the context of Byzantine ecclesiastical art.
