Christ Pantocrator -- Hagia Sophia is a photograph by Stephen Stookey which was uploaded on August 2nd, 2014.
Christ Pantocrator -- Hagia Sophia
Title
Christ Pantocrator -- Hagia Sophia
Artist
Stephen Stookey
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
The centerpiece of the Hagia Sophia's Deesis Mosaic, Jesus Christ Pantocrator sits in final judgement flanked by His mother, Mary, and John the Baptist. Jesus' face bears the gravity of Judgement Day.
Once the largest church in Christendom, the Hagia Sophia was transitioned to a mosque, and much later to a museum, following the Seljuk Turks conquest of Constantinople in 1453. The immense church, at the time of conquest the seat of the Patriarch of Constantinople and the primary church in Eastern Christianity, was once filled with Christian mosaics, frescoes, art and symbols. Following the 1453 conquest and subsequent conversion of churches to mosques, the Hagia Sophia's Byzantine-era Christian imagery was whitewashed over or removed. A few remnants, such as portions of the iconic Deesis Mosaic were later recovered and are now on display for visitors.
The current structure dates back to Emperor Justinian, inaugurated in 537 CE. Installation of mosaics began under Justinian II (565-578). The Deesis Mosaic featured here dates to the 12th century.
The present Hagia Sophia replaced two previous churches on the site: the first completed in 360 under Emperor Constantine II & the second completed under Theodosius II in 415.
The Hagia Sophia is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site within the recognized Historic Areas of Istanbul.
I highly recommend this image printed 16" or larger in Glossy Finish Canvas--gallery wrapped with black sides and framed in the CF6 Wood Canvas Floater - Black with Gold. This inspirational image is a personal favorite and hangs in my home.
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Uploaded
August 2nd, 2014
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