Editing Hagia Sophia (section)

===Comnenus mosaic===

The Comnenus mosaic, also located on the eastern wall of the southern gallery, dates from 1122. The Virgin Mary is standing in the middle, depicted, as usual in Byzantine art, in a dark blue gown. She holds the Christ Child on her lap. He gives his blessing with his right hand while holding a scroll in his left hand. On her right side stands emperor [[John II Comnenus]], represented in a garb embellished with precious stones. He holds a purse, symbol of an imperial donation to the church. His wife, the empress [[Irene of Hungary]] stands on the left side of the Virgin, wearing ceremonial garments and holding an [[eiletarion]] scroll. Their eldest son [[Alexios Komnenos (co-emperor)|Alexius Comnenus]] is represented on an adjacent pilaster. He is shown as a beardless youth, probably representing his appearance at his coronation aged seventeen. In this panel, one can already see a difference with the Empress Zoe mosaic that is one century older. There is a more realistic expression in the portraits instead of an idealized representation. The Empress Irene, daughter of [[Ladislaus I of Hungary|Ladislaus&nbsp;I of Hungary]], is shown with plaited blond hair, rosy cheeks, and grey eyes, revealing her [[Hungarians|Hungarian]] descent. The emperor is depicted in a dignified manner.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hagiasophia.com/listingview.php?listingID=16 |title=Comnenus |author=Hagia Sophia |work=hagiasophia.com |access-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220221807/http://www.hagiasophia.com/listingview.php?listingID=16 |archive-date=20 December 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref>