Hagia Sophia, Istanbul

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Detail of Hagia Sophia's apse mosaic, depicting the enthroned Virgin and Child. This is the oldest of the surviving mosaics in Hagia Sophia.

The mosaic dates from the second half of the 9th century, during the reign of Emperor Michael III (842-867) or Basil I (867-886). The figurative mosaic replaced a cross mosaic from the Iconoclast period.

Dating to the same period are the mosaics of the Archangel Michael and Archangel Gabriel, protectors of the Virgin and Child, that stand to either side of this mosaic.

Photo in the public domain.

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