Apse Mosaic - Hague Sophia, Istanbul by brewgirlca
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Description
The Virgin and Child Apse mosaic is the oldest surviving mosaic in the Hague Sophia. It was inaugurated on 29 March 867 and is believed to have replaced a 6th century mosaic that was damaged during a period of internal revolt against the church. The Virgin Mary holds the Christ Child against the original golden background of the 6th century. The Apse Mosaic stands above what would have been the original alter of the church which was replaced by the mihrab (lower right) early after the conquest of the city by the Ottomans in 1453.
This scene shows a lovely fusion of Christian and Islamic religious art with the original Christian mosaic backed by gold and now supported by ornate Islamic stained glass windows and shields.
As I previously said, much of the destruction of Hague Sophia was the result of the conquest of the city by Roman Christians during the 4th Crusade in 1204. Many of the original mosaics, including all the gold inlaid ones (of course) were pulled down and taken to Venice whose Doge, Enrico Dandola had organized the invasion and sack of Constantinople.
After the conquest by Sultan Mehmed in 1453 the Church was again plundered for three days. Then the sultan ordered the mosaics to be plastered over, in accordance with Muslim prohibition of imagery and the Hague Sophia was converted into the Aya Sofya Mosque. The plastering was not done all at once and visitors in the 17th century reported seeing exposed mosaics. However, the plastering over of the mosaics probably inadvertently protected them from further destruction.
All the intact mosaics were documented between 1847-1849 when two Swiss brothers were hired to restore the Aya Sofya. They were not allowed to refurbish the mosaics but when they removed the plaster they were allowed to record the mosaics and their condition. Then they had to paint them over again. The mosaics were finally exposed after 1935 when Ataturk ordered the Hague Sophia converted into a museum.
Comments (27)
Dreamdesigner
Great picture my friend,Also Thank you for the detailed historical info Roxy:-)))))))
Faemike55
Very lovely and fascinating photo and interesting history of the building
magnus073
What a sensational capture Roxy, and I very much enjoyed all the details you provided
adorety Online Now!
Spectacular image and angle. Converting it to a museum I think was the best idea yet. Now everyone can share in the art and history, not just one or two religions. Great bit of info.
SidheRoseGraphics
As you said - a lovely combination of Christian and Islamic art here. They look really nice together. Too bad both sides are so intent on believing they're the only ones that are correct and 'chosen'. This is a wonderful pov and image, Roxy. Great info too. Thank you!!
Tracesl
Excellent
odile
Superb capture, Roxy!:)
alanwilliams
a wonderful capture, so much ravishing detail
barryjeffer
Super stunning capture Roxy... some amazing architecture.
4udreamcatcher
How very beautiful!
JuliSonne
I do not know where I look first. What a work of art! When one remembers that all people are the same ... regardless of what faith? Why going this not in all heads?
eekdog Online Now!
love how you shoot Roxy! and your info is just as good as a tour guide.
RodS Online Now!
Stunning angle on this shot, Roxy! You have such a talent for not only getting great shots, but putting the icing on the cake with the information you provide. It's a shame that the world's great religions cannot exist peacefully side-by-side as does this artwork…
0rest4wicked
Fantastic depth and I enjoyed the narrative too!
lyron
Fantastic picture!!!
Chipka
Amazing! It's odd seeing this while listening to Turkish music from the earl 1900s. Odd how things go at times. I love the POV in this: you really capture the grandeur and the absolute size of this place. There's a weight of history so evident in the way this image looks and jumps from my screen here! Great capture of colors and textures and the whole sense of this being a "sacred" place is really quite profound. This is a marvel of a photograph! Incredibly well done.
fallen21
Stunning capture!
MineFujiko
Wow! Magnificent! Roxy-sensei
3dpoetry
Amazing
adrie
Outstanding and very beautiful photoshot Roxy, i love the POV, Istanbul has indeed some beautiful buildings and places to look and go to. Thanks for sharing this gorgeous capture with us Roxy.
Heitaikai
A fascinating photo. The point of view is superb!
drifterlee
What a beautiful place and shot!
Nonsolum
Another good WI"PIK"edia...to offer us some knowledge. Thanks so much brewgirlca !
whaleman
Great shot!
nefertiabet
Wonderful image !!!
Sepiasiren
"Stares upwards--mouth agape--blinking--drooling...hears voices in the distance--pays no heed.." OMG girl--I LOVE It--best pic EVAH and treatment is a YES! You are so talented, with an amazing eye. I ENVY you your haunts! What it must be like to stand in that spot taking in that sight...Oh, I must, must, MUST travel before the end o' mah days (If the earth doesn't crack open before December's last breath that is, PFFFT). Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!
nikolais
great interior image!