Greece, discovered portrait of Constantine XI, the last emperor of the East

Important find in Greece, where a unique piece of Byzantine history has been unearthed: a portrait of thelast emperor of the East, Constantine XI Paleologus (Constantinople, 1405 - 1453), the Byzantine emperor revered as a saint by the Orthodox Church, who fell in battle against the Ottomans in the clash that would lead to the final fall of Constantinople and the end of the Byzantine Empire, the Eastern Roman Empire, has been found. The painting was discovered during maintenance work in the Catholic church of the ancient monastery of Taxiarchon, located about 15 kilometers from the town of Aigio in the Peloponnese, not far from Patras.

The discovery is thanks to archaeologist Anastasia Koumousi, director of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Achaia (counterpart of the Italian superintendencies). Koumousi, while supervising the restoration of the monastery’s frescoes , identified in the second layer of wall paintings an image that caused great excitement in the academic community: a portrait of the last ruler of Constantinople. The news was released by Greece’s Ministry of Culture.

The portrait depicts a mature man, wrapped in a purple robe embroidered in gold, adorned with medallions bearing the symbol of the double-headed eagle, an icon associated with the Palaeologus dynasty. The emperor wears a dialitic crown and holds a cruciform scepter, elements that together constitute the imperial insignia.

The details are surprisingly realistic for Byzantine art, which is often stylized or idealized. The lean face, marked features, and composed expression reflect an authentic, non-stereotypical image of Constantine XI. This makes it an exceptional visual document: it is, according to the Greek ministry, theonly coeval portrait of the ruler, dated by Hellenic scholars to the mid-15th century, during his short reign (January 6, 1449 to May 29, 1453).

The connection with the monastery

The portrait is closely connected with the Taxiarchon Monastery and the history of the Paleologi family. According to historical sources, Constantine’s brothers, namely Demetrius and Thomas Palaeologus, generously financed the renovation of the monastery after the end of the first civil war between them, which ended thanks to Constantine’s mediation. It is plausible that the painter who created the second layer of frescoes in the monastery came from Mistra, the city where Constantine XI lived for five years before ascending the throne of Constantinople.

The presence of the imperial image inside the monastery was not accidental. The iconographic elements, such as purple and double-headed eagles, were meant to celebrate the continuity and legitimacy of the Palaeologian dynasty in a dramatic historical period marked by the imminent fall of Constantinople.

A treasure trove for Byzantine history

The frescoes in the Taxiarchon church are extraordinary not only for their artistic quality but also for their historical value. The portrait of Constantine XI represents a direct bridge to the last period of the Byzantine Empire and to the man who tragically became the symbol of the end of an era, still remembered by Greeks for his courage, faith, and dedication.

Unlike many idealized portraits, this fresco captures the personality of the ruler: not a distant hero, but a real man, scarred by the events that led to the fall of Constantinople in 1453. The emperor, who died in battle against Muhammad II’s Ottoman troops, is portrayed here at a time of relative tranquility, when his authority helped pacify tensions between the brothers and solidify ties with the monastery.

A discovery of great importance

This discovery greatly enriches the landscape of monumental Byzantine painting. As pointed out by Anastasia Koumousi, this is the last chronologically preserved imperial portrait, a work that offers a unique glimpse into an era long gone, but still able to speak to the present through the details that tell the story of a man and his empire.

“The work carried out by the Ephorate of Antiquities of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities,” said Minister Lina Mendoni, “in the field of preservation and restoration of monuments, proves, once again, to be of extreme importance, as it brings to light unique archaeological finds evidence related to historical figures. The scientific staff of the ephorates, endowed with vast experience, high education and in-depth knowledge of both historical events and archaeological data, is able to document, after a thorough study, each find that comes to light. In this case the portrait is related to the last emperor of Byzantium and concerns his only living portrait. The painter must have rendered the features of the portrait of the last emperor of Byzantium, Constantine XI Paleologus, according to his own perception, that is, his model was not an official imperial portrait, as was customary, but the emperor himself.”

This small fragment of a fresco represents not only an important work of art, but also a living testimony to the tumultuous decline of one of the greatest empires in history.

Greece, discovered portrait of Constantine XI, the last emperor of the East

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