Vécchia constantly introduced some comic accessory, even in his solemn subjects. His execution was fairly good, and his colouring effective, though too red in the flesh tones. Paolo was the son of Gabriele Caliari (or Cagliari), an obscure sculptor, and was born at Verona, hence his appellation_("the Veronian "). He learnt painting from his uncle, António Badile, whose daughter he afterwards married. He went to Venice about 1555, where, through a friend, he obtained the commission to paint the ceiling of San Sebastiano. He was successful there over his rivals in a competition for the decoration of the Palace of the Conservatori. When he arrived in Venice, Paolo was already an accomplished artist; but he learnt much from Titian, who held him in high esteem. Paolo was for a time in Rome with the Venetian ambassador Grimani; and it was on his return to Venice that his brilliant career began. He died in Venice, and was buried in the church of San Sebastiano. Veronese was a man of amiable manners, of a liberal, generous spirit, and extremely pious. His canvases are nearly always large, and his subjects mythological or Biblical incidents which admit of being rendered with pomp and magnificence. He loved to depict scenes of costly splendour, to which he gave Scriptural names, but which were in reality pictures of the Venetian life of the day. His faces are frequently unrefined and devoid of expression, and the beauty of his figures is more addressed to the senses. than to the mind. He painted all subjects, even the most solemn, in the same gorgeous style. He was precisely the painter suited to a nation of successful merchants. His colouring differs from that of his great rivals in its silvery transparency. He painted with great lightness, and glazed less than others; hence his works are not so much damaged. Paolo was an excellent fresco painter, and some of his frescoes may still be seen at the Villa Masser (Barbaro), near Treviso. He was obliged to shut himself up in the convent of St. Sebastian on account of a quarrel which he had with Zelotti, in which blood had flowed. To this circumstance are due some of his pictures now in the Venice Academy. According to Ridolfi, every one of his works was copied, an honour which other artists did not always enjoy: Yriarte enumerates 185 pictures by Paolo Veronese. To the school of Paolo Caliari belong his two sons, Gabrielle (1568-1631) and the more talented Carlo (1570-1596), called Carletto, and his brother Benedetto, who, after the death of Paolo, signed pictures under the firm name of "Heirs of Paolo." VICENTINO (Andrea dei Michele). Ven., 1539-1614. He was born at Venice, and was a pupil of Palma Giovane. He painted historical subjects in the Doges' Palace and some easel pictures also. He was skilful in the handling of colours, and showed great power of invention; but he was lacking in taste, and he frequently copied figures by other artists. His grounds were not durable, and his pictures have much faded. A great number of his works are in the Doges' Palace. THE VIVARINI (Of Murano, f. 1430-1503). There is much confusion regarding the painters of Murano, known under the name of Vivarini. It was about 1430 that António da Murano (Vivarini) founded the celebrated picture manufactory at Murano, opposite Venice, in which a German, apparently of the school of Cologne, called Johannes Alemannus, found employment about 1440. Some authors say that these men were brothers, but that is very doubtful. They are known to have worked together until 1447, and they may be considered as the founders of the Venetian school of painting. From this art factory came everything that was needed for the decoration of church altars. ANTÓNIO VIVARINI (d. c. 1470) was a native of Murano, and painted in partnership with "Johannes Alemannus" (Giov. Vivarini) until about 1447, when he associated himself with Bartolommeo, believed to have been his younger brother, who took the name of Vivarini. The latest dated work which Antonio painted alone is an altarpiece in Rome, bearing the date 1464. Several works by him and his partners are in the Venice Academy. They show traces of the influence of Gentile da Fabriano, the master of Jacopo Bellini; and it is quite probable that Antonio worked in Gentile's studio with Jacopo. GIOVANNI VIVARINI is identical with "Johannes Alemannus," and there was no Italian painter of the name of Giovanni da Murano. This German painter, who was in partnership with Antonio da Murano until about 1447, is now generally called Giovanni Vivarini. Their joint works were usually signed "Johannes et Antonius de Murano." It is not known when Giovanni Vivarini died, nor what became of him after he dissolved partnership with Antonio. ALVISE ("LUIGI ") VIVARINI (d. c. 1503) was a kinsman of Bartolommeo Vivarini, under whom he studied. By a mistake some have assumed that there were two painters by this name. There are traces of Paduan influences in his works, and Layard says that, although he commenced his career in the school of Murano, he subsequently came under the influence of the Bellini, and may even have worked with Giovanni. He ranks high among the Venetian painters of his time. His earliest recorded works were painted about 1464, when he and Carpáccio competed with Giov. Bellini in the decorations for the Scuola di San Girolamo at Venice. These pictures have disappeared. Two of his paintings in the Doges' Palace were destroyed by the fire of 1577. His chief altarpiece in the Venice Academy is dated 1480. BARTOLOMMEO VIVARINI. He was probably a native of Cremona who settled in Venice. The precise dates of his birth and death are not known, but his last dated work was painted in 1499. Some suppose, but without much authority, that he was a brother of Antonio Vivarini, with whom he painted an altarpiece (now in Bologna). Up to 1459 he signed himself Bartolommeo da Murano, but afterwards adopted the name of Vivarini. His style, which shows traces of Paduan influence, was much affected by the arrival at Venice of Antonello da Messina (1473), and by experiments in the new method of oil, which he is said to have been among the first to use in Venice. There are numerous pictures by Bartolommeo Vivarini in Venice. ZELOTTI (Giovanni Battista Farinati). Verona, 1532-1592. This artist is called by Vasari Battista da Verona, and by others Battista Fontana and Zelotti, in error. He was born at Verona, and was a pupil of his uncle Paolo, or, according to others, of Badile. He was a friend of Paolo Veronese, and co-operated with him in works at Venice. Vasari calls him a disciple of Titian. His style was grand, but inferior to that of Paolo Veronese. He was particularly good as a fresco painter. PAOLO ZOPPO (Bréscia, fl. 1503-1538). He was a Bréscian by birth, and is said to have been a pupil of Perugino. Some have supposed that he was identical with Vincenzio Foppa the younger, but there is no ground for the assertion. In some respects he imitates Romanino, and he may have studied with Foppa the elder. THE DOGES AND THE CHIEF EVENTS OF Events. Established Gov. at Malamocco. Was killed in a sedition. Banished, and had his eyes put out. Banished, and had his eyes put out. His son is joined as colleague. With his son as colleague driven from Venice. His two brothers as colleagues; has an interview with Charlemagne. Pepin captures Venetia. The three Doges are deposed. His two brothers as colleagues. Seat of Gov. transferred to Rialto: Relics of St. Mark taken to Venice. His brother Giov. as colleague. Suppresses an insurrection directed by Obelario, a former Doge. Deposed by the people, but ̄reinstated. His son Giov. as colleague. Saracens destroy Venetian flotilla at Tarento. Put to death. 864 ORSO PARTECIPAZIO I. His brother Giov. as col league. Defeat of the Saracens. Enlarges territory of Venice. 1 There is some variety in the spelling of these proper names. 264 Year. 881 887 GIOV. PARTECIPAZIO II. His brother Orso as col PIETRO CANDIANO I. . 887 GIOV. PARTECIPAZIO II. PIETRO TRIBUNO. 888 912 league. Takes Cammac- Perished in a naval combat. Chases the Huns from the ORSO PARTECIPAZIO II. Abdicates and retires to a monastery. 932 PIETRO CANDIANO II. Enlarges the Venetian 939 PIETRO BADOUER 991 PIETRO ORSEOLO II. . 1009 OTTONE Orseolo States by his conquests. His son as colleague. Killed in a sedition. . 1026 PIETRO CENTRANIGO . 1032 DOM. Orseolo 1033 DOM. FLABENIGO. 1043 DOM. CONTARINI 1071 DOM. SILVIO 1080 VITALE FALIERO. 1096 VITALE MICHIELI I. I [02 ORDELAFFO FALIERO. Fights against the Calo- Abdicates and retires to The sons of Doges are included in the Takes title of Duke of Commands the Crusade. Defeats the Pisans. Re-conquers Zara. Defeats the Huns. Conducts flotilla to Palestine. |