153. Leo VI Prostrate Before Christ in Majesty, 886-912.

Mosaic. Hagia Sophia, Istanbul. Byzantine.

 

 

This large mosaic located in the Hagia Sophia Basilica in Turkey depicts Jesus sitting on a magnificent celestial throne with his right hand raised in a gesture of blessing while his left hand holds an open book bearing the inscription: “Peace Be With You, I Am The Light of The World.” There are two roundels on either side of the figure of Christ, one with a portrait of the Virgin Mary and the other with a portrait of the angel Gabriel. In this image Jesus is portrayed as the Christ Pantocrator or the King of the World. He is dressed in different white fabrics and his prominent features resemble those of Zeus, the king of Gods in Greek mythology. The emperor prostrate is shown bearded and kneeling at the left of Jesus. Not only is the emperor kneeling in act of complete humility, he is also depicted as begging for Christ’s forgiveness — an unusual detail in Byzantine iconography.