In the Catholic Church of the Old Monastery of Taxiarchon Aegialia, only 15 kilometers from Aegio, two sets of frescoes, of artistic quality, of the late Byzantine years, which reflect the aesthetic trends of Constantinople.
As the proclamation of the Ministry of defense indicates, during thier maintenance work, the archaeologist Dr. Anastasia Koumousi, director of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Achaia, identified in the second set of wall paintings, which, based on technical criteria, can be safely dated too the middle of the 15th century, the unique portrait of the last Byzantine emperor Constantine XI Paleologus.
“The work done by the Ephorates of Antiquities of the Ministry of Culture”, said the Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni, “in the context of the preservation and restoration of the monuments, proves, once again, to be extremely vital, as it is. it brings to light unique archaeological evidence of historical figures”.
According to Ms. Mendoni, “The scientific team of the Ephories of the YPPO, with great experience, advanced training and global knowledge of both historical events and archaeological data, is able to document every discovery that comes to light, after a thorough study. In this case, the portrait is attached to the last emperor of Byzantium and belongs to his only living portrait. The painter must have shown the features of the portrait of the last emperor of Byzantium XI, constantine Palaiologos, from his own point of view, that is, his model was not an official imperial portrait, as usual, but the emperor himself”.
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The gold-embroidered cloak decorated with a double-headed eagle wearing a crown
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Medal with double-headed eagle
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Konstantinos Paleologos
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Konstantinos Paleologos
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Konstantinos Paleologos
According to the announcement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the mural shows the figure of a mature man wearing an imperial “insignia” (luxurious cord over the light-colored sackcloth, dialithic crown) and holding a cross-shaped scepter. The gold-embroidered purple of the mantle is decorated with a medallion, on which is inscribed two eagles with a crown between their heads, the coat of arms of the members of the Palaiologos family. The presence of the double-headed eagles on the figure’s garment, along with the rest of the sign, represented a pictorial message that allowed the viewer to unequivocally identify the man as an emperor.
According to the advertisement, the emperor depicted is a historical figure and is identified with him Constantine XI Paleologosbrother of the sponsors of the restoration of the Monastery, the Dimitrios and Thomas households. it is indeed the last chronologically preserved portrait of an emperor in Byzantine monumental painting and the only portrait of Constantine Palaiologos, a contemporary of his brief reign (January 6, 1449-May 29, 1453). This is an authentic portrait, which accurately reproduces the physiological features of the last byzantine emperor. He is an earthy figure, a mature man, with a thin face and individual features, exuding calmness and gentleness.
In Mystras, where the painter who depicted the second set of Catholics probably came from, Constantine Palaiologos had lived for five years as a retainer, before being crowned emperor.The imperial portrait is related to the generous patronage of his brothers for the monastery known from written sources,after the end of the first civil war between them (1449-1450),which was achieved by the “arbitration” of Constantine,as mentioned by Laonikos Chalkokondylis.
“It’s fully documented”
“It is fully documented, in combination with historical sources and technological criteria, because this layer goes back to the middle of the 15th century,” archaeologist Dr. Anastasia Koumousi,director of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Achaia for the portrait of the last byzantine emperor Constantine X Palaiologos,which was unveiled in the Catholic Church on the Old Monastery of Taxiarchon Aegialia,only 15 km from Aegio.
“It is the only living portrait of him. There are portraits of him, but after 2-3 centuries”, emphasized the byzantineologist who identified the portrait on the second set of wall paintings in the Catholic Church on the Old Monastery of Taxiarchon Aegialea.
It is noted that today’s announcement by the Ministry of foreign Affairs was aware of the discovery in the Catholic Church of the monastery, where there are two sets of frescoes, of high artistic quality, from the late Byzantine years, which reflect the aesthetic trends of Constantinople.preserved. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the mural depicts the figure of a full-grown man wearing an imperial ‘badge’ (luxurious cord over a light-coloured jacket, dialithic crown) and holding a cross-shaped scepter.the gold-embroidered purple of the mantle is decorated with a medallion, on which is inscribed two eagles with a crown between their heads, the coat of arms of the members of the Palaiologos family. The presence of the double-headed
The emperor depicted is a historical figure and identified with Constantine XI Palaiologos, brother of the sponsors of the restoration of the Monastery, lords Dimitrios and Thomas. It is indeed the last chronologically preserved portrait of an emperor in Byzantine monumental painting and the only portrait of Constantine Palaiologos,a contemporary of his brief reign (January 6,1449-May 29,1453).
What are the implications of discovering the only living representation of Constantine XI Palaiologus in Byzantine art?
Interview Between the Time.news Editor and Dr. Anastasia Koumousi, Archaeologist
Time.news Editor (TNE): Good day, Dr. Koumousi. Thank you for joining us today. Your recent revelation in the Old Monastery of Taxiarchon Aegialia is nothing short of fascinating. Can you tell us how this discovery came about?
Dr. Anastasia Koumousi (AK): Thank you for having me! This discovery stemmed from routine maintenance work on the frescoes at the monastery, located just 15 kilometers from Aegio. As the director of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Achaia, I was involved in assessing the condition of the artwork when I identified a second set of wall paintings that date back to the mid-15th century.
TNE: that sounds intriguing! What was notable about this particular set of frescoes?
AK: The artistic quality of these frescoes reflects the late Byzantine aesthetic trends that were prevalent in Constantinople during that period. Most notably, we uncovered a unique portrait of the last Byzantine emperor, Constantine XI Palaiologus. This is incredibly important as it adds to our understanding of Byzantine art and history.
TNE: The mention of the last Byzantine emperor is particularly striking. Why is this portrait considered unique?
AK: This portrait is unique because it is believed to be the only living representation of Constantine XI Palaiologus.Unlike other imperial portraits that followed a standardized, official portrayal, this one captures the emperor’s personal features as seen by the painter. This implies a more intimate connection between the emperor and the artist,and sheds light on how he was perceived during his reign.
TNE: That’s a powerful insight. Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni has stated that your team’s work is vital in preserving historical evidence. How does this resonate with you?
AK: I am honored by the minister’s words. Our work goes beyond mere restoration; it’s about connecting the past with the present. Each discovery, particularly one related to historical figures like Constantine, helps us understand the cultural and historical contexts of the time. Our aim is to document and preserve these artifacts so that future generations can engage with their history.
TNE: Speaking of engagement,how can the public get involved in or learn more about these historical findings?
AK: Public interest is crucial. We encourage visits to sites like the Old Monastery where these frescoes are located. Educational programs and exhibitions are also in growth, which will showcase our findings and provide deeper insights into Byzantine history. We want to foster a sense of ownership and appreciation for our collective heritage.
TNE: That sounds fantastic! With your research and the restoration of these artworks, do you believe we are shifting how we view Byzantine history?
AK: Absolutely! Traditional narratives frequently enough focus on political events, but the artistic expressions from that period reveal the cultural and emotional landscapes of the time. By highlighting the nuances of individual figures like Constantine XI, we enrich our understanding of history, making it more relatable and engaging.
TNE: looking ahead, what are the next steps for your team following this discovery?
AK: We will conduct a thorough analysis of the frescoes, including conservation efforts to ensure their longevity. Following that,we hope to publish our findings and share our insights through various channels,ensuring that the legacy of the last Byzantine emperor continues to inspire and educate.
TNE: thank you, dr. Koumousi.Your work brings a vital piece of history back to life. we look forward to seeing the future developments in this fascinating field.
AK: Thank you! It’s been a pleasure discussing this critically important work with you.
