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Icon with the Deesis

mid-900s
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 303
This representation of Christ joined with the Virgin and John the Forerunner (the Baptist), one of the most widespread middle Byzantine icon types, is known as the Deesis. By tradition the first witnesses to Christ's divinity, the Virgin and Saint John came to be seen as holy figures who would act as intercessors with him on behalf of humanity.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Icon with the Deesis
  • Date: mid-900s
  • Geography: Made in probably Constantinople
  • Culture: Byzantine
  • Medium: Elephant ivory
  • Dimensions: Overall: 6 5/16 x 5 1/8 x 1/4 in. (16 x 13 x 0.6 cm)
  • Classification: Ivories-Elephant
  • Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
  • Object Number: 17.190.133
  • Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

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