Paolo Veronese

Born in 1528 as the son of a stonecutter in Verona. Though his real name was Paolo Caliari, he was known as 'Veronese' after his birthplace, later adopting his mother's noble surname.¹

Moving to Venice in 1553, he received his first state commission for the Doge's Palace ceilings, a turning point that established him as a leading master in the city.¹

In the late 1550s, he decorated Palladio's Villa Barbaro, using trompe-l'œil and complex perspective to create a 'visual poetry' where architecture and painting merged perfectly.¹

In 1557, he was awarded a prize for his Marciana Library ceilings, judged by Titian and Sansovino, marking the official recognition of his mastery among his contemporaries.¹

For 'The Wedding at Cana,' his contract specified premium pigments like lapis lazuli. The massive 66-square-meter canvas features numerous figures, including contemporary portraits.¹