Virgin Mary on Deesis Mosaic 1261

The Virgin Mary on Deesis Mosaic is a 13th-century Byzantine mosaic located in the Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey. This mosaic is a fragment from a larger Deesis composition, which depicts Christ in Majesty flanked by the Virgin Mary and John the Baptist. The mosaic's striking realism is typical of the Byzantine style, emphasizing the spiritual and emotional depth of the subject matter. The Virgin Mary's sorrowful gaze and the remnants of her elaborate halo suggest a scene of prayer and devotion, reflecting the importance of religious iconography in Byzantine art.