During the conversion of the mosque to a museum, hundreds of Christian mosaic art pieces were revealed from underneath plaster. Religious mosaics can be seen from wall to wall throughout its decorated interior. The Sunu, Deesis, and Theotokos mosaics imbedded on the walls of the Hagia Sophia not only beautifies the interior, but are an essential part of the religious beliefs taught and practiced in the Church.
In the year 1849, one of the most important and prominent mosaics was discovered during the repairs and restorations under the Swiss-Italian architects, the Fossati brothers. This work of art, called the Sunu Mosaic, is located in the inner narthex on the Southern Vestibule door (Sunu Mosaic). It includes three important figures: the Virgin Mary, Emperor Constantine I, and Emperor Justinian. Mary, who is placed in the center, is sitting on a backless throne with Baby Jesus on her lap. Engraved near her …show more content…
The Theotokos mosaic, Greek for “one who gives birth to Christ”, is placed on the apse of a semi dome, overlooking the nave of church. The Theotokos, also known as The Great Virgin and Child, was established by Patriarch Photios and emperors Michael III and Basil I in March of 867 CE (Hagia Sophia). The mosaic depicts the Virgin Mary sitting on a throne and pedestal, intricately decorated with precious stones and gems. The child Jesus, who is sitting on her lap, is wrapped in a gold garment and depicted with a halo, showing his divinity. The two are surrounded by a gold background, with light from a ring of windows illuminating and reflecting off of the mosaic portraying a heavenly appearance. This mosaic was the first of the post-Iconoclastic mosaics, for religious leaders believed that they needed to reaffirm the importance of images of holy figures because they moved people emotionally and spiritually in their faith (Theotokos mosaic, apse, Hagia Sophia,
In the year 1849, one of the most important and prominent mosaics was discovered during the repairs and restorations under the Swiss-Italian architects, the Fossati brothers. This work of art, called the Sunu Mosaic, is located in the inner narthex on the Southern Vestibule door (Sunu Mosaic). It includes three important figures: the Virgin Mary, Emperor Constantine I, and Emperor Justinian. Mary, who is placed in the center, is sitting on a backless throne with Baby Jesus on her lap. Engraved near her …show more content…
The Theotokos mosaic, Greek for “one who gives birth to Christ”, is placed on the apse of a semi dome, overlooking the nave of church. The Theotokos, also known as The Great Virgin and Child, was established by Patriarch Photios and emperors Michael III and Basil I in March of 867 CE (Hagia Sophia). The mosaic depicts the Virgin Mary sitting on a throne and pedestal, intricately decorated with precious stones and gems. The child Jesus, who is sitting on her lap, is wrapped in a gold garment and depicted with a halo, showing his divinity. The two are surrounded by a gold background, with light from a ring of windows illuminating and reflecting off of the mosaic portraying a heavenly appearance. This mosaic was the first of the post-Iconoclastic mosaics, for religious leaders believed that they needed to reaffirm the importance of images of holy figures because they moved people emotionally and spiritually in their faith (Theotokos mosaic, apse, Hagia Sophia,