Interpreting the Mosaics of S. Sophia at Istanbul

Cormack, Robin

doi:10.1111/j.1467-8365.1981.tb00707.x

Cited by 23 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Other historians suggest that the explanation for the replacement head for Zoe may be reuse of an older mosaic, destroyed in the fire of 1043 in Saint Sophia or by supporters of Michael V during Zoe’s exile as a damnatio memoriae . This interpretation has the benefit at least of removing the supposed vanity of the empress and represents an echo of Psellos’ descriptions 11,12 . However, the girly appearance of an older woman, who cared so much for her skin and hair and her total appearance with cosmetics was broadly considered as preparation for sex and consequently was ridiculed by the common opinion of the era (Fig.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

The Byzantine Empress Zoe Porphyrogenita and the quest for eternal youth

Πάνας

Poulakou‐Rebelakou²,

Kalfakis

et al. 2012

J of Cosmetic Dermatology

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The diachronically continuous struggle for eternal youth as represented by the Byzantine Empress Zoe Porphyrogenita (978-1050). The presentation of a beautiful empress, trying to keep her youth appearance until a prolonged age, applying on herself cosmetic essences and fragrances made in her personal laboratory into the imperial palace. The review of the relevant literature and the historical evidence derived from the historians and chroniclers of her era, as well as the surviving images of Zoe. The eye-witness chroniclers of the era describe her as blonde, with bright white skin, lack of wrinkles, and a very young girl appearance, preserving her beauty even into her 60s. All the historical sources agree that her main occupation was the manufacture of cosmetic essences, and for this purpose, she had installed a laboratory (myrepseion) in her private quarters, where she prepared various drugs and perfumes, spending much of her time for these activities. It is noteworthy that her first two husbands died under circumstances that aroused suspicions of Zoe's involvement in their deaths, as she had parallel love affairs. The best known image of Zoe is the mosaic panel in Saint Sophia, the cathedral Church of Constantinople and her representation has been long discussed, as she was 64 years old at the time of the scene apparently depicted in the panel, and maybe she took the opportunity of adding a more pleasing portrait of herself. The preservation of beauty is a timeless quest and cosmetic dermatology has its origins in antiquity and medieval times.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

The Byzantine Empress Zoe Porphyrogenita and the quest for eternal youth

Πάνας

Poulakou‐Rebelakou²,

Kalfakis

et al. 2012

J of Cosmetic Dermatology

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“…Deno John Geanakoplos and Ruth Macrides follow Akropolites in holding that 'the entire day's programme was intended as a thanksgiving to God rather than a celebration of an imperial triumph'. 7 The view that the Deesis mosaic was created in 1261 was established by Robin Cormack, who also contended that the mosaic was accompanied by a suppliant figure of the emperor Michael VIII which no longer survives and that, stylistically, the work probably draws on Italian art of the period, 8 a view which concurs with that of Demus. However, other researchers, such as Alice-Mary Talbot 9 and, with reservations, Cecily Hilsdale, 10 have shown that there is insufficient evidence to support the construction of the Deesis mosaic at this particular date.…”

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confidence: 98%

Reassessing a Late Byzantine masterpiece: the Deesis mosaic in the Hagia Sophia of Constantinople

Vapheiades¹

2021

Byz. Mod. Greek stud.

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After the recapture of Constantinople (1261) artistic production in Byzantium experienced a recovery. In the capital of Byzantium itself this period is marked by the mosaic panel of the Deesis in the Hagia Sophia. This work constitutes a ‘one-off’ in Byzantine art. This fact poses a series of questions concerning the dating, the creator and the patron of the mosaic, as well as the reasons for its creation, given that no source makes any reference to these matters. The present study attempts to re-examine these issues.

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2010

A Companion to Byzantium

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Interpreting the Mosaics of S. Sophia at Istanbul

Cited by 23 publications

References 11 publications

The Byzantine Empress Zoe Porphyrogenita and the quest for eternal youth

The Byzantine Empress Zoe Porphyrogenita and the quest for eternal youth

Reassessing a Late Byzantine masterpiece: the Deesis mosaic in the Hagia Sophia of Constantinople

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