Within the labyrinth of European art, there are names that shine as golden mirrors. One of them is Paolo Veronese. His work was an exaltation of Venice’s light and Renaissance’s magnificence. He was a color, theatrical gesture and painted architecture master. We suggest observing Veronese not just with admiration, but also with attention, now that the Prado Museum dedicates a temporary exhibition to him. Because behind luxury, there are ideas; behind color, hidden messages. And, frequently, behind beauty there is power.
¿Who was Paolo Veronese?
Paolo Caliari, nicknamed Veronese after his hometown: Verona, was a distinguished painter from Late Renaissance in Venice. His style, characterised by the use of vibrant colors, the creation of fictional palaces and the production of magnificent works, turned him into one of clergy’s and nobilty’s favorites from his city. In contrast to Tintoretto’s spirituality or Tiziano’s introspection, Veronese speaks to us about celebration, balance and luxury. However, this does not make him superficial: his religious or mythological scenes are filled up by political, social and moral tensions.
Keys to seeing Veronese through another lens
One of Veronese’s hallmarks is his ability to create worlds. His paintings not just tell stories: they place us in palaces with columns, staircases, infinite ceiling… It is pictorial theatre. At the Prado exhibition, we can see this clearly in artworks such as The Feast in the House of Simon the Pharisee (1570), where space is as important as the characters.
Color as narrative
Veronese does not use colors for painting, but light. Not only his red, green, violet and golden colors bring delight, they are also capable of redirecting our gaze, establishing an order and creating atmosphere. A Venetian palette that communicates with silk, water and the sky from his region.
More than beauty: ideology
Frequently hidden, many of his artworks are soaked in religious or political content. Reading his paintings through a historical lens shows us codes of ambiguity, criticism or power.
Visiting with a guided gaze
The temporary exhibition dedicated to Veronese at the Prado Museum is a one of a kind opportunity to enter a refined universe and, at the same time, to explore with us other unique experiences at the Prado, where we also create guided tours specially designed for you.