Mosaics in the dome of saint sophia in thessaloniki

The paper deals with the mosaics in the dome of St Sophia in Thessaloniki, an outstanding work of Byzantine monumental art of the late 9th century. This ensemble has almost no direct parallels in the art from the late 9th - early 10th century, neither Metropolitan, nor provincial. Very few high quality art works survive from this period. Therefore it is particularly important to understand their specifics, genesis and relationship. These are revealed by the author through a thorough analysis of style of the Thessalonian ensemble in comparison to coeval miniatures and mosaic fragments from Constantinople, as well as wall paintings in the rock cut churches in Cappadocia.