Deisis
Deisis is one of the first Christian iconographic themes, present, in the church, between the nave and the altar, on the templom beam and, later on, on the iconostasis screen. It appears frequently as icon or in illuminations.
In most of the cases, Deisis represents Christ Pantocrator, seated on a throne, clad in a mantle draped over the left shoulder, blessing with his right hand while holding an open Gospel in his left. He is flanked by the Virgin Mary on his right and St. John the Baptist, on his left. They are represented standing, profile or semi-profile, in orant posture, with the head slightly bowed, looking towards the main character. Their hands are raised in supplication, the palms oriented upwards. Quite frequently the background, painted gold, suggests atemporality and aspatiality.
Iconographic variants of the theme:
- The three characters may be depicted only half-length.
- In later Post-Byzantine representations, Christ may be represented as “Christ in Majesty”, dressed as a Basileus and crowned.
- The number of characters may be multiplied by the presence of the apostles, saints or donors.
- Christ may appear in an almond-shaped mandorla, or that of a eight-pointed star, which is supported by four cherubs or by the tetramorph.
Deisis is one of the first Christian iconographic themes, present, in the church, between the nave and the altar, on the templom beam and, later on, on the iconostasis screen. It appears frequently as icon or in illuminations.
In most of the cases, Deisis represents Christ Pantocrator, seated on a throne, clad in a mantle draped over the left shoulder, blessing with his right hand while holding an open Gospel in his left. He is flanked by the Virgin Mary on his right and St. John the Baptist, on his left. They are represented standing, profile or semi-profile, in orant posture, with the head slightly bowed, looking towards the main character. Their hands are raised in supplication, the palms oriented upwards. Quite frequently the background, painted gold, suggests atemporality and aspatiality.
Iconographic variants of the theme:
- The three characters may be depicted only half-length.
- In later Post-Byzantine representations, Christ may be represented as “Christ in Majesty”, dressed as a Basileus and crowned.
- The number of characters may be multiplied by the presence of the apostles, saints or donors.
- Christ may appear in an almond-shaped mandorla, or that of a eight-pointed star, which is supported by four cherubs or by the tetramorph.
