VENEZIANO, PAOLO

(active c. 1333-1360)

The firstVenetianpainter to be known by name. AlthoughGiottohad already introduced a new mode of painting that rejected theManiera Grecaand depended on the empirical observation of nature, Paolo Veneziano nevertheless continued to paint in the Greek mode. The reason for this is that the style was well suited to Venetian taste as Venice had close ties to Byzantium from where theManiera Grecaoriginated. One of Paolo's most important commissions is theCoronation of the Virginpainted in 1324 (Washington, National Gallery), a work featuring heavy gilding, emphasis on lines, gold striations to denote the folds of drapery, and brilliant colors typical of theManiera Grecamode. His other noteworthy commission is the series of wooden panels he painted in 1345 forDogeAndrea Dandolo as the cover to thePala D'Oro, a major bejeweledaltarpiecefrom the 10th century housed in the Basilica of San Marco.