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THE HAGHIA SOPHIA MUSEUM
Second mural down the southern gallery: Jesus Christ sitting at a throne, flanked by Empress Zoe and Constantine Monomachus, her third husband. Constantine's head was added later than the rest of the mural in place of the head of Empress Zoe's first husband who was originally featured in the composition. The mural symbolizes the gratitude of the imperial family and their donations to the church.
10th century mosaic mural above the inner door of the museum exit: Virgin Mary seated on a throne with the infant Jesus in her arms. Emperor Constantine the Great is at her left, presenting them with a model representing the city and the Emperor Justinian at the right, with a model of the Haghia Sophia. The mural pictures the Virgin Mary as the supreme saint of the city. The background of this mural with a distorted perspective is made with gold-coated glass pieces, and the throne on which the Virgin is sitting is of silver-glazed glass pieces rarely used in the murals of this period.
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Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ, with his left hand holding the Holy Bible and his right hand raised in benediction, is the central figure of one of the mosaic murals of the southern gallery. He is flanked by the Virgin Mary to the left and St. John the Baptist to the right. This mural, badly damaged in the lower half, is the foremost among the mosaics of Haghia Sophia in artistic value. It may be admired comfortably during any visit to the museum since it receives sufficient daylight at every hour of the day.
Jesus Christ Virgin Mary John
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