mtfaidherbe1

Marble screen whose date and purpose is not known, in the south gallery of St Sophia. It is not an original part of the church but a later addition. It is made in the form of two pairs of false double doors with elaborately ornamented panels, the so-called gates of Heaven and Hell. During the early history of the building the entire gallery was used as the women's quarter. In later centuries most of the southern gallery was reserved for the use of the royal family so that they were able to perform their religious duties without being seen by the crowd in the nave.

Thank you Per. Your photos  of the same place are quite different, interesting, isn't it ?

Mosaic of the Deesis from St Sophia. Second half of the thirteenth or the first half of the fourteenth century. Middle bay of south gallery. The Deesis is the iconographic name used for the scene where Christ is portrayed between the Virgin and St John the Baptist. In the mosaic, whose lower part is completely lost, the last two are seen interceding on behalf of the humanity. They lean towards Christ in suppliant attitudes, pleading for the salvation of mankind. This mosaic is referred to as one of the greatest works and triumphs of mosaic art in Constantinople. It is the illustration of the cultural revival which took place in the capital after the restoration of the Byzantine empire by Michael VIII, Palaiologos in 1261. (no exact date known). The technique is more painterly than the other mosaics in the gallery.

Mosaic of the Virgin and the Christ Child, the Emperor John II, Komnenos and the Empress Irene from St Sophia. Last bay of the south gallery. This panel may almost certainly be dated to 1118, the year of the coronation of John II, Komnenos (1118-1143) and his wife Irene. Virgin's inscription says Mother of God. The emperor is seen offereing a bag of gold. The inscription reads John, in Christ the God faithful King born in the purple and Autocrat of the Romans, Komnenos. The red hair empress is seen holding a scroll. The accompanying inscription reads Irene the most pious Augusta.

Mosaic of Christ Pantocrator, the Empress Zoe and the Emperor Constantine IX Monomachos from St Sophia. Mid-eleventh and early twelfth centuries. Last bay of the south gallery.Two monarchs are seen in the act of offering Christ symbolic donations - a purse of silver and a scroll of privileges. The inscription behind the emperor reads Constantine in Christ the God, Autocrat, faithful King of the Romans, Monomachos. The inscription designates the Empress Zoe as the most pious Augusta. The inscription on the scroll held by her reads Constantine in Christ the God, faithful King of the Romans, Monomachos. In this mosaic only the heads of the three figures and those parts of the inscriptions bearing Constantine's name can be assigned to their reign. (Zoe was married three times, and it seems that the head of her new husband replaced the old one each time).