A Komnenos Mosaic in Hagia Sophia: On Its Dating and Iconology

Yavuz Erdihan

Article Details

A Komnenos Mosaic in Hagia Sophia: On Its Dating and Iconology

Authors:

Yavuz Erdihan

Publisher:

Istanbul University

Main Topics:

Kültürel ve Doğal Miras | Sanat Tarihi

Journal:

Sanat Tarihi Yıllığı Issue 32, pp.233-248

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

6/2023

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001297445

pISSN:

0579-4080

Keywords:

Abstract:

 This paper presents an examination of the Komnenos mosaic in the south gallery of Hagia Sophia by focusing on its dating and iconography. The mosaic often dates to, around 1122 and depicts Byzantine Emperor John II Komnenos, Empress Irene, and their son, the co-emperor Alexios, on either side of the Mother Mary and Christ the Child. The dating is based on the coronation of Alexios, which is thought to have occurred in 1122. Byzantine scholars further argue that the mosaic shows a donation Emperor John II Komnenos made to Hagia Sophia, based on the purse held by the emperor. However, documents show the coronation date of Alexios to have actually occurred in 1119. Moreover, no historical evidence indicates Emperor John II Komnenos to have given any financial support to Hagia Sophia. When considering these facts, the study aims to offer a reexamination of the mosaic. In this context, the paper argues the mosaic to depict the coronation ceremony of Alexios Komnenos, and to be a reflection of the dynastic policy of John II Komnenos, opposing both his sister, Anna Komnena, and brother Isaac Komnenos claims to the throne. Consequently, this paper reveals references that tie the mosaic to this context in terms of iconology. Keywords: Komnenos mosaics, Alexios Komnenos, Hagia Sophia, iconography, Byzantine art.

 This paper presents an examination of the Komnenos mosaic in the south gallery of Hagia Sophia by focusing on its dating and iconography. The mosaic often dates to, around 1122 and depicts Byzantine Emperor John II Komnenos, Empress Irene, and their son, the co-emperor Alexios, on either side of the Mother Mary and Christ the Child. The dating is based on the coronation of Alexios, which is thought to have occurred in 1122. Byzantine scholars further argue that the mosaic shows a donation Emperor John II Komnenos made to Hagia Sophia, based on the purse held by the emperor. However, documents show the coronation date of Alexios to have actually occurred in 1119. Moreover, no historical evidence indicates Emperor John II Komnenos to have given any financial support to Hagia Sophia. When considering these facts, the study aims to offer a reexamination of the mosaic. In this context, the paper argues the mosaic to depict the coronation ceremony of Alexios Komnenos, and to be a reflection of the dynastic policy of John II Komnenos, opposing both his sister, Anna Komnena, and brother Isaac Komnenos claims to the throne. Consequently, this paper reveals references that tie the mosaic to this context in terms of iconology. Keywords: Komnenos mosaics, Alexios Komnenos, Hagia Sophia, iconography, Byzantine art.

 This paper presents an examination of the Komnenos mosaic in the south gallery of Hagia Sophia by focusing on its dating and iconography. The mosaic often dates to, around 1122 and depicts Byzantine Emperor John II Komnenos, Empress Irene, and their son, the co-emperor Alexios, on either side of the Mother Mary and Christ the Child. The dating is based on the coronation of Alexios, which is thought to have occurred in 1122. Byzantine scholars further argue that the mosaic shows a donation Emperor John II Komnenos made to Hagia Sophia, based on the purse held by the emperor. However, documents show the coronation date of Alexios to have actually occurred in 1119. Moreover, no historical evidence indicates Emperor John II Komnenos to have given any financial support to Hagia Sophia. When considering these facts, the study aims to offer a reexamination of the mosaic. In this context, the paper argues the mosaic to depict the coronation ceremony of Alexios Komnenos, and to be a reflection of the dynastic policy of John II Komnenos, opposing both his sister, Anna Komnena, and brother Isaac Komnenos claims to the throne. Consequently, this paper reveals references that tie the mosaic to this context in terms of iconology. Keywords: Komnenos mosaics, Alexios Komnenos, Hagia Sophia, iconography, Byzantine art.

 Bu çalışma yeni belgeler ışığında Ayasofyanın güney galerisindeki Komnenos Mozaiğinin tarihi ve ikonografisi üzerine odaklanmaktadır. Genel olarak 1122 civarına tarihlenen mozaikte; Bizans İmparatoru II. Ioannes Komnenos, İmparatoriçe Irene ve oğulları Müşterek İmparator Aleksios, Meryem ve Çocuk İsanın iki yanında betimlenmiştir. Mozaiğin tarihlenmesi Aleksios Komnenosun 1122de müşterek imparator ilan edildiğinin kabulüne dayanır. İmparator II. Ioannes Komnenosun elindeki para kesesi ile betimlenmesi nedeniyle de mozaik ikonografik olarak Ayasofyaya yapılan bir mali destekle ilişkili olarak yorumlanmıştır. Bununla birlikte, belgeler Aleksios Komnenosun aslında 1119da müşterek imparator ilan edildiğini kanıtlamaktadır. Aynı zamanda İmparator II. Ioannes Komnenosun iktidarı döneminde Ayasofyaya mali destek sağladığına ilişkin kanıt da yoktur. Bu saptamalar mozaiğin tarihi ve ikonografisinin yeniden sorgulanmasını gerekli kılmaktadır. Çalışmamız bu bağlamda mozaiğin tarihi ve ikonografisine ilişkin yeni görüşleri tartışmaya açmaktadır. Tarihsel kayıtlar ve ikonografik detaylar mozaiğin bir mali destekle ilişkili değil, İmparator II. Ioannes Komnenosun hanedan politikası ve bunun sonucu Aleksios Komnenosun müşterek imparator olarak taç giymesiyle ilişkili olduğuna işaret etmektedir. Sonuç olarak çalışma; mozaiği Aleksios Komnenosun müşterek imparator olarak taç giymesi töreninin görsel bir yorumu olarak değerlendirerek gerekli tarihsel ve ikonografik referansları ortaya koymayı amaçlamaktadır.

Article Details

A Komnenos Mosaic in Hagia Sophia: On Its Dating and Iconology

Authors:

Yavuz Erdihan

Publisher:

Istanbul University

Main Topics:

Kültürel ve Doğal Miras | Sanat Tarihi

Journal:

Sanat Tarihi Yıllığı Issue 32, pp.233-248

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

6/2023

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001297445

pISSN:

0579-4080

Komnenos mozaiği,

Aleksios Komnenos,

Ayasofya,

İkonografi,

Bizans sanatı

Issues

Article Details

A Komnenos Mosaic in Hagia Sophia: On Its Dating and Iconology

Authors: Yavuz Erdihan

Publisher: Istanbul University

Main Topics: Kültürel ve Doğal Miras | Sanat Tarihi

Journal: Sanat Tarihi Yıllığı Issue 32, pp.233-248

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 6/2023

Document Language: Turkish

Document ID (Org No.): 2001297445

pISSN: 0579-4080

Komnenos mozaiği,

Aleksios Komnenos,

Ayasofya,

İkonografi,

Bizans sanatı

Issues

Authors:

Yavuz Erdihan

Publisher:

Istanbul University

Main Topics:

Kültürel ve Doğal Miras | Sanat Tarihi

Journal:

Sanat Tarihi Yıllığı Issue 32, pp.233-248

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

6/2023

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001297445

pISSN:

0579-4080