Deësis panel

mosaic

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June 25, 2026

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The Deësis panel is a tripartite icon in the Eastern Orthodox Church tradition, typically depicting Christ enthroned between the Virgin Mary and St. John the Baptist. This specific mosaic is a significant work from the Late Byzantine period, showcasing stylistic innovations that emerged during the Palaeologian Renaissance (1261–1453).12

The mosaic art of this era saw a refinement in technique, with smaller tesserae and less rigid contours, often reintroducing vibrant color and a sense of pathos. The Deësis panel, located in the south gallery of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, is noted for its refined color and the reappearance of the tilting technique in Christ's halo, reflecting a retrospective element in late Byzantine art.2

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mosaic
Late Byzantine mosaics
…mosaic works of art, the Deësis panel in the south gallery of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. In this same panel, the tilting technique reappears (in the cross arms of Christ’s halo)—another indication of the retrospection inherent in late Byzantine art.
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…mosaic works of art, the Deësis panel in the south gallery of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. In this same panel, the tilting technique reappears (in the cross arms of Christ’s halo)—another indication of the retrospection inherent in late Byzantine art.
Read More