Saturday, July 29, 2017

Medal of John VIII Palaeologus - Pisanello


We just learned about the Madonna and Child by Francesco Laurana.

Another famous Renaissance sculpture is the Medal of John VIII Palaeologus by Pisanello in 1439.
It is like a coin about 4 inches wide.
The picture is of the Eastern Roman Emperor John VIII Palaeologus.
The words on the coin say "John, king and emperor of the Romans, the Palaeologus"

Pisanello was also known as Antonio di Puccio Pisano or Antonio di Puccio da Cereto.
He was the first to start making medals like this of famous people like the Emperor, and this is believed to be the first one made during the Renaissance.
After he made this, many other people started making medals, but Pisanello was thought to be the best one.



(from: wikipedia - medal of john viii palaeologus)


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