Sketches of the Emperor John VIII Palaeologus, a Monk, and a Scabbard 1438

Pisanello's "Sketches of the Emperor John VIII Palaeologus, a Monk, and a Scabbard" (1438) is a drawing that showcases the artist's meticulous attention to detail and his interest in capturing the human form. The drawing features several figures, including a mounted emperor, a monk, and a scabbard. The drawing is composed of pen and ink on paper, and the artist's precise lines give the figures a sense of realism and dynamism. The drawing is considered a preparatory study for a larger painting and is a valuable example of the Italian Renaissance artist's process. The work is housed in the Art Institute of Chicago and is a significant piece in the study of Pisanello's artistic development.