VERONESE, Paolo
(b. 1528, Verona, d. 1588, Venezia)

Religio and Fides (Religion and Faith)

1575-77
Oil on canvas, 320 x 200 cm
Palazzo Ducale, Venice

The central painting of the ceiling of the Sala del Collegio in the Doge's Palace, along with the Neptune and Mars, as well as Venetia between Justitia and Pax, symbolizes in allegorical form the Republic of Venice's claims to political power. It also reminds the Council of its specific obligations, one of which was monitoring matters of faith. Although a fixed written program for the ceiling has not survived and the putative authorship of Marcantonio Barbaro cannot be proven, it is assumed that the painter was forced to follow the requirements of the clients in terms of content and presentation.




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