Ministry of Culture: Portrait of the last Byzantine Emperor, Constantine Palaiologos, discovered

In the Catholicon of the Old Monastery of Taxiarches in Aigialeia, just 15 kilometers from Aigio, two layers of frescoes of high artistic quality from the late Byzantine period are preserved. These reflect the aesthetic trends of Constantinople.

During their restoration, Dr. Anastasia Koumousi, Director of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Achaia, identified in the second layer of frescoes—dated securely to the mid-15th century based on stylistic criteria—the unique portrait of the last Byzantine emperor, Constantine XI Palaiologos.

“The work carried out by the Ephorates of Antiquities under the Ministry of Culture,” stated Minister Lina Mendoni, “proves once again to be exceptionally significant, as it uncovers unique archaeological testimonies connected to historical figures. The scientific staff of the Ministry’s Ephorates, with extensive experience, high expertise, and comprehensive knowledge of both historical events and archaeological data, is capable of thoroughly documenting every finding that comes to light.”

“In this case, the portrait is linked to the last emperor of Byzantium and represents the only known portrait of him created during his lifetime. The artist likely rendered the features of Constantine XI Palaiologos based on direct observation, meaning the model was not an official imperial portrait, as was customary, but the emperor himself,” added Mendoni.

The fresco depicts the figure of a mature man wearing imperial regalia (a luxurious loros over a light-colored sakkos and a jeweled crown) and holding a cross-topped scepter. His gold-embroidered purple mantle is adorned with medallions featuring double-headed eagles with a crown between their heads, a distinctive symbol of the Palaiologos family. The presence of double-headed eagles on the garment, combined with the other insignia, formed an illustrated message allowing viewers to identify the man as an emperor.

The emperor depicted is a historical figure identified as Constantine XI Palaiologos, the brother of the donors who renovated the monastery, the despots Demetrios and Thomas. It is the last chronologically preserved portrait of an emperor in Byzantine monumental painting and the only portrait of Constantine Palaiologos contemporary with his brief reign (January 6, 1449 – May 29, 1453).

The portrait is neither idealized nor standardized. It is an authentic representation, accurately capturing the facial features of the last Byzantine emperor. The figure is earthy and realistic—a mature man with a slender face and individualized characteristics, exuding calmness and nobility.

In Mistra, where the artist of the Catholicon’s second layer likely originated, Constantine Palaiologos had lived for five years as a despot before being crowned emperor. The imperial portrait is linked to the known generous donation of his brothers to the monastery, recorded in written sources, following the resolution of their first civil war (1449–1450), achieved through Constantine’s “arbitration,” as noted by Laonikos Chalkokondyles.

Source: pagenews.gr