Deesis
(deh-ee'sis, Gk., supplication)

In Byzantium, the word deesis was used to describe images of the Virgin Mary and John the Baptist flanking Christ; the word was also used to describe images of the Virgin praying and the Virgin or a donor presenting a petition. The primary image which the term deesis described of the Virgin, John the Baptist, and Christ was originally meant to express the privileged role of the Virgin and John as the first eyewitnesses to Christ's divinity. Following the ninth century, the composition began to appear in contexts that suggested the theme of intercession. At this time, the composition began to incorporate imagery associated with the imperial court-Christ was enthroned between Mary and John as an emperor might be enthroned between two interceding courtiers. With its new emphasis on intercession, the deesis became an important element in scenes of the Last Judgement where the Virgin and John intercede for mankind. Since the nineteenth century, the term deesis has been exclusively applied to images of the Virgin and John the Baptist standing on either side of Christ with their hands extended towards him. BLR

COMPARANDA
Deesis mosaic (Istanbul, south gallery, Hagia Sophia)
Medallions from an Icon Frame (New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art)
Fieschi Morgan Staurotheke (New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art)
Processional Cross (New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art)
Icon with the Deesis (New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art)

BIBLIOGRAPHY
"Deesis." Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium. Ed. Alexander Kazhdan. 3 vols. New York: Oxford University Press. 599-600.