Page 30 - Beholding Liberty!

Giuliano da Sangallo (from an original drawing by Ciriaco d’Ancona, 1436 / 1444) Antiquities from Central Greece and Athens,
ca. 1480-1516
drawing on parchment, 45.5 × 39 cm Vatican, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Codex Barberinianus Latinus 4424,
f. 28v
4. Koutsogiannis 2004. 5. Koutsogiannis 2008.
VIII Palaiologos, who was present at the council and impressive “alla greca”, would be perceived as a model Greek over time, with the result to be depicted in a multitude of Renaissance images with Greek themes.4
The interest of Renaissance humanists was covered partially on the level of written sources, also with the help of Byzantine scholars, particularly those who moved to Renaissance Italy; however the corresponding interest of artists and antiquarians in Greek antiquities was satisfied only in a circum- stantial and isolated manner.
The case of antiquity-lover Ciriaco d’Ancona (1391 – t.p.q. 1452), who searched for antiquities in Greece during the second quarter of the 15th century,5 remained unique. It was however noteworthy that this pioneer of ancient knowledge, based on the visual evidence of drawings of antiquities, was to become a warm supporter of the Crusade to rein in the Ottomans, having also in mind the pro- tection of ancient Greek monuments. In fact, he was to be an enthusiastic supporter of the Florence Council, thus preceding the antiquarians in the 18th and 19th century, who, owing to their antiquity worship, would be evolved also into Philhellenism.
30 BEHOLDING LIBERTY!