National Galleries of Scotland

Paolo Veronese (Caliari) (Italian, about 1528 - 1588)

Veronese was the leading painter in Venice after Titian and was celebrated for his large decorative works, rich in colour and theatrical in character. He was born Paolo Caliari in Verona and was named 'Veronese' once he settled in Venice. Many of his frescoes and canvases are still in the churches, palaces and villas for which they were commissioned in Venice and the Veneto, the countryside on the mainland. His crowded, detailed compositions are carefully orchestrated to ensure their dramatic impact. They also demonstrate his outstanding skills, especially in complex foreshortening. His brother and three sons assisted in his busy successful workshop.