DALLE MASEGNE, Jacobello
(d. 1409, active in Emilia)

Portrait of Doge Antonio Venier

1394
Marble, height 51 cm
Museo Correr, Venice

In the later 1390s the Masegne brothers seem to have signed several contracts independently, although they may have executed the work jointly. According to one hypothesis, the brothers were working independently by the end of the 14th century. In October 1400 Pierpaolo signed a contract to decorate the large window in the Sala del Maggior Consiglio in the Doge's Palace, Venice. In 1403 he made a will when he was ill and probably died soon after.

Attributions to Jacobello include the marble statue of the kneeling Doge Antonio Venier. The carving of the gaunt face and tightly clasped hand of the kneeling figure is characteristic of Jacobello.

Antonio Venier (c. 1330-1400) was a Doge of Venice reigning from October 1382 to his death. He was interred in the Basilica di San Giovanni e Paolo, a traditional burial place of the doges.