Conservation work by an archaeologist has revealed a previously unknown portrait of the last emperor of Byzantine, Constantine XI Palaiologos (Feb. 8, 1404 – May 29, 1453), dubbed the last Christian ruler of Constantinople, showing his true likeness in a practical still life painting, not an idealized art work.
The Ministry of Culture for the Greek Government confirmed in a press release that Anastasia Koumousi, director of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Achaia, had been working on late Byzantine era frescoes on the Katholikon of the Old Monastery of Taxiarches of Aigialeia, just 15 km (9 miles) from Aigio. The expert found the portrait throughout the second layer of the frescoes, dating to the fifteenth century.
“The work carried out by the Ephorate of Antiquities of the Ministry of Culture,” Minister Lina Mendoni said, “within the context of the conservation and restoration of monuments, is proving, once more, to be extremely essential, because it brings to light unique archaeological testimonies related to historical figures.
“The scientific staff of the Ephorates of the Ministry of Culture, with extensive experience, high training and comprehensive knowledge of each historical events and archaeological data, is capable of document, after a radical study, any finding that involves light.
“In this case, the portrait is related to the last emperor of Byzantium and concerns his only living portrait.
“The painter should have rendered the portrait characteristics of the last emperor of Byzantium, Constantine XI, Palaiologos, from his own perception, i.e. his model was not an official imperial portrait, as was customary, however the emperor himself.”
Constantine XI Palaiologos was the “last Christian Emperor of Constantinople and Byzantium,” in keeping with the late English Byzantinist, Donald MacGillivray Nicol, in his authoritative book (1992), “The immortal emperor: the life and legend of Constantine Palaiologos, last emperor of the Romans.”
The emperor died fighting the Ottoman Turks when Constantinople fell in 1453, Nichol said, but various myths have constructed a narrative about his demise with storytellers purporting that he become marble to turn out to be immortal, with the concept that he would at some point be awoken to drive his enemies out of town.
The portrait revealed by the archaeological find reveals a mature man with an imperial insignia — an expensive cord over a light-coloured sack with a cross-stone crown — and holding a crusading scepter, confirmed the Greek Ministry of Culture.
A gold-embroidered purple mantle adorns him with medals decorated with double-headed eagles and a crown beneath their heads — the symbol of the Palaiologos family. It is this mixture of double-headed eagles within the garment, alongside the remaining insignia, which helped experts deduce the identity of the portrayed man because the emperor.
The archaeological find is the one known portrait of Constantine Palaiologos, who reigned for a brief period (Jan. 6, 1449 – May 29, 1453). It can also be the “last chronologically preserved portrait of an emperor in Byzantine monumental painting,” added the Ministry of Culture.
“As a portrait it just isn’t idealistic or standardized. It is an authentic portrait, which accurately reflects the physiognomic characteristics of the last Byzantine emperor,” stated the Ministry of Culture. “He is an earthly figure, a mature man, with a slender face and personalized features, who exudes calmness and kindness.”
Constantine XI Palaiologos was the brother of the sponsors, despots Demetrios and Thomas, who renovated the monastery, in keeping with the Ministry of Culture.
