This paper analyzes the themes and layouts of the Christian art in the domes of the inner narthex of Istanbul’s Chora Church, and clarifies the significance of the architectural space and the mountains depicted in the art. The inner narthex’s south- and north-domed bays are studied, interior elevations and photomontages of the Christian art are created, and they are analyzed and discussed. This paper focused on the art of the pendentives and lunettes located under the domes that express the relationship of God’s world to the terrestrial world, where the angels, acting as intermediaries between the two worlds, and the mountains are drawn. In the Chora Church, the mountains depicted in the Christian art of the domes in the inner narthex reflect a place where one can connect to God. The architectural space containing this artwork configures the lower part of the wall as the terrestrial world and the dome as God’s world, and the pendentives and lunettes divide these two worlds.
猪股 et al. (Sun,) studied this question.