Apotheosis of Venice

This painting was commissioned by the Venetian government for the ceiling of the Sala del Maggior Consiglio of the Palazzo Ducale. It is one of the thirty five panels on the ceiling.

Of the numerous paintings in the Sala del Maggior Consiglio, Veronese’s is the one that best fits into the complicated set of frames in the Mannerist style: in fact the grandiose painted architecture, with cornices and terraces supported by imposing spiral columns, seems to be a continuation of the structures outside the picture itself. Venice is enthroned on a cloud, ringed by a large number of deities representing her economic and political power, forming an opulent court of beautiful naked women and elegantly dressed lords. Lower down, numerous equally elegantly attired Venetian ladies and several prelates look out from a balcony, while on the lowest level we see the Venetian people and a number of warriors, mounted on sturdy horses.