The bearded man with the hat is Byzantine Emperor John VIII Palæologus.
Painted by Priamo della Quercia, 1442
According to legend the Santa Maria della Scala hospital was opened on 898 by a cobbler named Sorore. However, the first known document mentioning it dates from March 29, 1090. The last parts of the hospital left the historical buildings opposite the Duomo in 1996 and it was turned into a museum complex. It is still being restored.