Costanzo da Ferrara

Costanzo da Ferrara (1450–1524) was an Italian painter and medalist, born in Ferrara, but working mainly in Naples.^[1]

Second medal of the sultan Mehmet II, with mention "Byzantii Imperatoris 1481", made by Costanzo da Ferrara (1450-1524).

Costanzo was asked to go to Constantinople, capital of the Ottoman Empire, to make a portrait of the sultan Mehmet II.^[1] Diplomatic relations were restored with the Ottoman Empire after the Ottoman offensive on Negroponte in 1470.^[1] At that point, the sultan asked for "uno pittore de quelli dal canto di qua" (a painter from over here).^[1] Ferdinand I of Naples (1423–1494), recognizing the Ottoman ruler, commissioned the work.^[2]

Costanzo da Ferrara probably resided in Istanbul during the period 1475 to 1478, and may have remained there until the death of the Sultan in 1481.^[1] Two medals were minted in the name of the Sultan, one with "Asie et Gretie imperator", the other with "Bizantii imperator".^[2][3]

Costanzo da Ferrara is also known to have been back in Naples in 1485, where he painted a portrait of Ferdinando d'Este.^[1] Some paintings attributed to Gentile Bellini in Constantinople, may actually have been made by Costanzo da Ferrara.^[1][4][5]

Gallery

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  The seated scribe, traditionally attributed to Gentile Bellini, may actually have been painted by Costanzo da Ferrara.^[5][4]
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  Reverse of the second Mehmet II medal by Costanzo da Ferrara
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  First medal of Mehmet II, by Costanzo da Ferrara, circa 1478.^[6]