Deēsis Deconstructed: Imagining Intercession in the Medieval West
Sean Gilsdorf
This article examines artistic representations of intercession (third-party advocacy) in early medieval Europe ca. 800–1100, focusing upon how a common Byzantine intercessory schema (the Deēsis) was adopted and adapted by Western artists. I argue that the Deēsis composition, while used variety ways Europe, underwent number significant transformations which reflect different sense process role its participants. In particular, artists recast order to incorporate petitioner within representative frame, change gave greater importance propinquity intercessor than latter‘s exalted status vis-à-vis (heavenly) ruler.
Viator