These two icons are a pair that originally flanked the doors of a now lost iconostasis. An iconostasis is a wall of icons or paintings separating the nave from the sanctuary in a church. The Pantanassa (or Virgin Enthroned with Child) would have been to the left of the doors, with the Deesis, or Christ Enthroned, mirroring it on the right.
Pantanassa is Greek for “Queen of All”. In this iconography, Mary holds the Christ Child tenderly and is framed by Old Testament kings and prophets, each inclined towards the Virgin in veneration. In both Western and Eastern traditions, Mary’s tunic is commonly painted in blue, one of the most valuable pigments. Here she also wears red shoes, a sign of imperial status dating to the Byzantine period.
Deesis is Greek for “prayer”. In Western traditions, this way of depicting Christ is more often called “Christ in Glory” (or “Christ in Majesty.)” Christ is always facing forward, centred in the composition and holding an open book of the Gospels. Here, he is seated on a throne with a hand raised in benediction, flanked by Mary and St John the Baptist who act as intercessors with Christ on behalf of those who venerate the icon.
The exhibition “In Golden Light” is divided into two parts: one focusing on the life of Christ and the other on the life of the Virgin. These paired icons tie the two sections together.
