Cyprus / 1487 / De Cornaro
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Cyprus / 1487 / De Cornaro
Caterina of Cornaro, widow of James II of Cyprus. In March 1489 she is forced to sell Cyprus to Venice. Date: circa 1487
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Media ID 14279536
© Mary Evans Picture Library
1487 1489 Caterina Cyprus Forced Sell Venice Widow Cornaro
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative print captures the poignant moment in Cyprus's history when Caterina Cornaro, the widow of James II, relinquishes her crown in March 1489. Dated circa 1487, this image offers a glimpse into the political intrigue and power struggles that marked the late 15th century Mediterranean world. Caterina Cornaro, a noblewoman from the Republic of Venice, was the last Lusignan queen of Cyprus. She had married James II in 1472, and after his death in 1473, she ruled as regent for her underage son, John III. However, the young king's minority and Cyprus's vulnerable position in the face of external threats led to a protracted conflict between Venice and the Ottoman Empire. In 1487, the Venetian Senate, fearing the loss of Cyprus to the Ottomans, offered Caterina a deal: they would protect her and her son in exchange for her abdication and the sale of the island to Venice. Faced with the choice between Venice and the Ottomans, Caterina chose to relinquish her crown in a formal ceremony held in the Cathedral of Saint Sophia in Nicosia on March 2, 1489. This print, likely produced soon after the event, depicts Caterina in mourning attire, surrounded by Venetian dignitaries, as she hands over the symbols of her power - the scepter and the orb - to the Doge of Venice, Agostino Barbarigo. The image underscores the complex web of alliances, power dynamics, and personal sacrifices that shaped the Mediterranean world during this period. The print's intricate details, from the rich fabrics and ornate jewelry to the expressive faces of the figures, transport us back to a time of political upheaval and personal drama in the Mediterranean. It serves as a poignant reminder of the human stories that lie behind the historical events we study.
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