Medal: John VIII Palaeologus 1400 - 1800

Curator: Bronze can whisper so many stories, can’t it? This piece, titled “Medal: John VIII Palaeologus,” attributed to Pisanello and dating from sometime between 1400 and 1800, definitely has some tales to tell. Editor: Oh, definitely a powerful stillness radiating from this profile! It makes me think about inherited power structures. Look at the precise details embossed around his portrait—almost a sort of... halo made of words? What is that? Curator: Clever read. The inscription is the man’s name and title in Greek – Ioannes Paleologus Imperator Romanorum - that crowns his image and indeed makes him into this god-like figure that you instantly sensed. And the hat he wears? An almost cartoonish rendition that immediately emphasizes his imperial status. Editor: And a really striking profile, the hook of his nose almost mimicking the curve of the medal. I wonder about the choice to portray him in profile, what statements are being made about hierarchy and authority? There’s also this sense of him being slightly… detached. I keep thinking about this medal as a kind of early form of propaganda, carefully constructed to legitimize power and tradition. Curator: Absolutely! It makes me wonder what Pisanello and John VIII talked about while creating the artwork! It must've been awkward to talk to such a ruler who seemed aloof, detached. I like how you also bring up how "propaganda" connects into this creation of history... who dictates how to portray themselves in portraits or historical writing? Editor: Propaganda maybe isn’t quite the right word – let's rather say its an act of visual diplomacy. We shouldn’t forget John VIII’s motivations here. His visit to Italy in the 15th century was largely driven by seeking military assistance from Western Europe against the encroaching Ottoman Empire, a plea which ultimately failed. A gorgeous object made with desperate intentions. Curator: It definitely shifts the way I'm reading it as an artwork too! Editor: Right? Knowing this medal was almost like a business card, a calling card dropped off in a flurry of desperate diplomacy changes its interpretation dramatically for me. It highlights the frailty of even the most regal figure. A fragile emperor seeking assistance immortalized in heavy bronze. The irony just rings. Curator: What a potent image indeed! Next time you see this medal, come appreciate this medal with your historical lens in mind to bring awareness.