Deesis

Deesis
Icon of the Deesis (Monastery St. Catherine, Sinai, 12th century)
Mosaic of the Deesis, 12th century, Hagia Sophia

In Byzantine art, and later Eastern Orthodox art generally, the Deësis or Deisis (Greek: δέησις, "prayer" or "supplication"), is a traditional iconic representation of Christ in Majesty or Christ Pantocrator: enthroned, carrying a book, and flanked by the Virgin Mary and St. John the Baptist, and sometimes other saints and angels. Mary and John, and any other figures, are shown facing towards Christ with their hands raised in supplication on behalf of humanity.

It was originally often placed on the templon beam in Orthodox churches as well as above doors, though it also appeared on icons and devotional ivories.

After the development of the full iconostasis screen there was room for a larger "Deesis row" or "Great Deesis" of full-length figures, and the number of figures expanded, in both Byzantium and Russia. Usually this row is above the level of the doors, and below the row depicting the Twelve Great Feasts, sometimes the Deesis is above the Feasts. The central Christ is therefore above the main door in the screen. Soon seven figures, usually one to a panel, were standard, in order of proximity to Christ in the centre: on the left (Christ's right) Mary, the Archangel Michael and Saint Peter, and on the right John the Baptist, the Archangel Gabriel and Saint Paul. Especially in Russian examples, a number of saints of local significance are often included behind these, as space allows. Andrey Rublev's row for the Cathedral of the Dormition in Vladimir were 3.14 metres (over ten feet) high. [1] In the Greek tradition the Apostles are more likely to occupy extra panels.

The presence of Mary and John, and other figures, is one of the differences with the Western Christ in Majesty, where the Four Evangelists and/or their symbols are more commonly included around Christ. The Deesis composition is also commonly found in the West, especially those parts of Italy under Byzantine influence, but also the rest of Europe. The use of the image declined slowly throughout the Middle Ages, and it is never as common as the Western forms of Christ in Majesty.

Gallery

References

  1. ^ Maria Cheremeteff in Leong, Albert ed.;The Millennium: Christianity and Russia, A.D. 988-1988; p.110-8; 1990; St Vladimir's Seminary Press;ISBN 0881410802

External links

Media related to Deesis at Wikimedia Commons


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Deesis — Deësis Ikone aus dem Katharinenkloster, Sinai, 12. Jh. Als Deësis wird die mittelalterliche Darstellung des am jüngsten Tag zu Gericht sitzenden Jesus bezeichnet. Jesus zur Seite sitzen Maria auf der linken und Johannes der Täufer auf der rechten …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Deësis — Ikone aus dem Katharinenkloster, Sinai, 12. Jh. Als Deësis wird die mittelalterliche Darstellung des am jüngsten Tag zu Gericht sitzenden Jesus bezeichnet. Jesus zur Seite sitzen Maria auf der linken und Johannes der Täufer auf der rechten… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Déesis — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda Déesis en el tímpano de la Portada de Coronería de la Catedral de Burgos. 1250 …   Wikipedia Español

  • Deesis —   [griechisch »Bitte«] die, /... esen, in den orthodoxen Kirchen (an der Ikonostase) die Darstellung des thronenden Christus zwischen Maria und Johannes dem Täufer, die zu seinen Seiten fürbittend stehen oder knien, gelegentlich erweitert um die… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • Deesis — De*e sis (d[ e]*[=e] s[i^]s), n. [NL., fr. Gr. de hsis supplication.] (Rhet.) An invocation of, or address to, the Supreme Being. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Deesis —    Greek for entreaty, referring to an image of intercession in Byzantine art. This can include the image of a donor presenting a gift, but typically it is an image of the Theotokos (q.v.) and John the Baptist in poses of intercession on either… …   Historical dictionary of Byzantium

  • deesis — /dee ee sis/, n., pl. deeses / seez/. a representation in Byzantine art of Christ enthroned and flanked by the Virgin Mary and St. John the Baptist, often found on an iconostasis. [ < Gk déesis entreaty, equiv. to dee , var. s. of déesthai to beg …   Universalium

  • Deesis — De|e|sis die; , ...esen <aus gr. déēsis »das Bitten«> ↑byzantinische Darstellung des [im Jüngsten Gericht] thronenden Christus zwischen Maria u. Johannes dem Täufer, den Fürbittern …   Das große Fremdwörterbuch

  • deesis — noun a) A calling to witness. b) The vehement expression of desire put in terms of for someones sake or for Gods sake. Syn: adjuration …   Wiktionary

  • deesis —    A Greek work, literally meaning an instance of calling on God to witness. In art, it is traditionally a representation in Byzantine art of Christ enthroned and flanked by the Virgin Mary, St. John the Baptist, and angels, often found on an… …   Glossary of Art Terms

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”