In the Katholikon of the Old Monastery of Taxiarches in Aegialia, just 15 km from Aigio, two layers of frescoes of high artistic quality from the late Byzantine period are preserved, reflecting the aesthetic trends of Constantinople. During their conservation work, the archaeologist Dr. Anastasia Koumousi, Director of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Achaia, found the unique portrait of the last emperor of Byzantium, Constantine XI Palaiologos, on the second layer of frescoes, which, based on stylistic criteria, can be dated safely to the middle of the 15th century.

“The work implemented by the Ephorates of Antiquities of the Ministry of Culture, said Minister Lina Mendoni, in the context of the conservation and restoration of monuments, proves, once again, extremely important, as it brings to light unique archaeological evidence associated with historical figures. The scientific staff of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture, with great experience, high training and comprehensive knowledge of both historical events and archaeological data, is able to document, after a thorough study, every finding that comes to light. In this case, the portrait is connected with the last emperor of Byzantium and concerns the only living portrait of him. The painter must have rendered the portrait characteristics of the last emperor of Byzantium, Constantine XI Palaiologos, from his own conception, i.e. his model was not an official imperial portrait, as was customary, but the emperor himself’.”

The fresco depicts the figure of a mature man wearing imperial ‘attire’ (a luxurious cord over a light-coloured sackcloth, a diorite crown) and holding a cross-bearing sceptre. His golden purple cloak is decorated with medallions, on which are inscribed two-headed eagles with a crown between their heads, the insignia of members of the Palaiologan family. The presence of the two-headed eagles on the figure’s garment, together with the other insignia, constituted an illustrated message that allowed the viewer to unambiguously identify the man with an emperor.

The emperor depicted is a historical person and is identified with Constantine XI Palaiologos, brother of the sponsors of the renovation of the monastery, the despots Demetrius and Thomas. It is the last surviving portrait of an emperor in Byzantine monumental painting and the only portrait of Constantine Palaiologos contemporary with his brief reign (6 January 1449-29 May 1453). As a portrait it is not idealistic or formalized. It is an authentic portrait that accurately depicts the physiognomic features of the last Byzantine emperor. He is an earthy figure, a mature man, with a thin face and personalised features, who exudes calmness and gentleness. In Mystras, where the painter who illustrated the second layer of the Catholicos probably came from, Konstantinos Palaiologos had lived five years as a despot before being crowned emperor. The imperial portrait is connected with the generous sponsorship of the monastery by his brothers, known from written sources, after the end of the first civil war between them (1449-1450), which was achieved through the ‘arbitration’ of Constantine, as mentioned by Laonicus Chalcocondylis.