The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 13, 2025

Portrait of John VIII Palaoelogus, Emperor of Constantinople, 1424-1428 (obverse) and (reverse)

c. 1438–39

Pisanello

(Italian, Ferrara, c. 1395–1455)
Italy, 15th century
lead
Diameter: 10.4 cm (4 1/8 in.)
John L. Severance Fund 1974.13
Location: 003 Special Exhibition Hall(not visible)

Description

The art of the medal was introduced into Italy by Pisanello, His work as a medalist began with the portrait medal of this emperor, who, in 1438, visited the Council of Ferrara.
  • Private collection, sold Sotheby & Co., Zurich, May 27, 1974, lot 131, to Blumka Gallery.
    Blumka Gallery (New York, New York), sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art, 1974.
  • “Annual Report for 1974.” The Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum of Art 62, no. 6 (June 1975): 175–209. Reproduced: p. 181 www.jstor.org
  • Renaissance to Runway: The Enduring Italian Houses. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (November 9, 2025-February 1, 2026).
    Year in Review: 1974. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (March 11-April 6, 1975).
  • {{cite web|title=Portrait of John VIII Palaoelogus, Emperor of Constantinople, 1424-1428 (obverse) and (reverse)|url=false|author=Pisanello|year=c. 1438–39|access-date=13 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1974.13