Pisanello: Maker of Medals

Pisanello c. 1395 - c. 1455
Marriage Medaillon of Lionello d'Este,
Signed and dated 1440,
London, National Gallery
Leonello d'Este popularised Pisanello's medals, using them as diplomatic gifts to cement relationships with dignitaries throughout Europe.

Pisanello c. 1395 - c. 1455
Medal of Emperor John VIII Palaeologus (obverse) 1438
Bronze, 10,2 cm
Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris
Pisanello's first medal, of John VIII Palaeologus, Emperor of Constantinople. It was commissioned when the Emperor came to Florence for the Council of Ferrara and Florence.

Pisanello c. 1395 - 1455
John VIII Palaeologus, 1390-1448, Emperor of Constantinople 1425
obverse, 1438, lead//Trial cast, possibly, diameter: 10.3 cm (4 1/16 in.)
Samuel H. Kress Collection
National Gallery of Art, Washington