c. 1528-1588. Italian painter, born in
Verona, active mainly in Venice (from about
1553). He specialized in grand decorative
schemes, such as his ceilings in the Doge's
Palace in Venice, with trompe l'oeil effects
and inventive detail. The subjects are
religious, mythological, historical, and
allegorical. Titian was a major influence,
but Veronese also knew the work of Giulio
Romano and Michelangelo. His decorations in
the Villa Barbera at Maser near Vicenza show
his skill at illusionism and a typically
Venetian rich use of colour; they are also
characteristically full of inventive fantasy.
He took the same approach to religious works,
and as a result his Last Supper 1573
(Accademia, Venice, renamed The Feast in the
House of Levi) was the subject of a trial by
the Inquisition, since the holy event seems
to be almost subordinated by profane details:
figures of drunkards, soldiers conversing,
dogs, and so on.