Portrait of last Byzantine Emperor Constantine XI Palaiologos discovered in Greece!

Two layers of high-artistic-quality frescoes from the late Byzantine period, reflecting the aesthetic trends of Constantinople, were discovered in the Monastery of Taxiarches of Aigialeia, just 15 kilometres from Aigio.

An exciting discovery was made at the Monastery of Taxiarches: a portrait of Constantine XI Palaiologos, believed to be the only portrait of the last emperor of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire.

Archaeologist Dr Anastasia Koumousi, Director of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Achaia, identified the second layer of frescoes, which, based on stylistic criteria, is safely dated to the mid-15th century,

"The work carried out by the Ephorates of Antiquities of the Ministry of Culture," stated Minister Lina Mendoni, in the context of "the conservation and restoration of monuments, proves, once again, to be extremely important, as it brings to light unique archaeological testimonies linked to historical figures."

"The scientific staff of the Ephorates of the Ministry of Culture, with extensive experience, high training and comprehensive knowledge of historical events and archaeological data, can document, after thorough study, every find that comes to light.

“In this case, the portrait is linked to the last Byzantine emperor and involves his only living portrait.

“The painter must have rendered the portrait features … from his own perception, meaning that his model was not an official imperial portrait, as was customary, but the emperor himself.”

The fresco depicts the figure of a mature man wearing imperial insignia and holding a cruciform sceptre.

His gold-embroidered purple cloak is decorated with medallions, on which are inscribed double-headed eagles with a crown between their heads, the insignia of the ruling Palaiologos family.

The presence of the double-headed eagles on the figure's garment, in combination with the other insignia, identifies the man in the image as the emperor.

Constantine XI Palaiologos' brothers, the despotes Demetrios and Thomas, were the sponsors of the Monastery's renovation.

The newly discovered portrait is the last chronologically surviving portrait of an emperor in Byzantine monumental painting and the only portrait of Constantine XI Palaiologos during his brief reign (6 January 1449 - 29 May 1453).

It is not idealistic or standardised as a portrait. It is authentic and accurately renders the physiognomic features of the last Eastern Roman emperor.

Constantine XI Palaiologos lived for five years in Mystras, where the painter probably came from, as a despot before being crowned emperor.

The imperial portrait is associated with his brothers' generous sponsorship of the Monastery, known from written sources, after the end of the first civil war between them (1449–1450).

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