Page 18 - The Lugdunum Auction 24

A masterpiece of Renaissance medallic art by
Pisanello (ca. 1380/1395 - ca.1450/1455)

The first ever Renaissance Medal

This medal was crafted in Ferrara in 1438-1439
by the medallist and painter Antonio di
Puccio Pisano, better known as Pisanello (ca.
1380/1395 - ca.1450/1455).
Commonly regarded as one of the most
distinguished painters of the Italian Quattro-
cento, he illustrates with his art production the
transition between the courtly style of the
Gothic art, or international Gothic style and
the early Italian Renaissance.
But his contribution to the history of art is
not limited to paintings as he also revolutionized
medallic art, having given birth, with this medal,
to the first Renaissance medal ever produced.
Pisanello (ca. 1380/1395 - ca.1450/1455)
In addition to its great artistic merit, as well as its rarity, the political and religious context of this creation
make it even more interesting, as it marks both the begin of the rich production of Renaissance
medals that will revolutionize European medallic art, but also in some way the end of the over 1’000
years old Byzantine Empire.

Historical importance

This medal was crafted to commemorate a very important event: the visit of the penultimate Byzan-
tine emperor John VIII Palaeologus (1392-1448) to Florence in 1438.

As the Byzantine empire was on
the verge of collapse, almost re-
duced to the sole imperial city of
Constantinople, John VIII needed
the assistance of the West in his
fight against the Ottomans.

For this purpose, he wanted to take
part in person at the Council of
Ferrara-Florence, whose aim was
to negotiate a military support of
the West, in return for the reuni-
fication of the Eastern Orthodox
Church with the Catholics.

The Emperor John VIII Palaeologus by Benozzo di Lese di Sandro Gozzoli
His visit was a success and lead to the issue by Pope Eugene IV, on 6th July 1439, of the Bulla
Unionis Graecorum, temporary ending the East-West Schism and paving the way to a Western
crusade, by both land and see, against the Ottomans. Finally proclaimed on 1st January 1443, this
Western crusade never took place, facilitating and allowing, ten years later, the conquest of
Constantinople by Sultan Mehmed II on 29th May 1453 and the fall of the Byzantine empire.

If you want to learn more about this exceptional medal, do not hesitate to watch
our special presentation video on our website www.lugdunum-numismatik.com
(Highlights page) or by using this QR-Code

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