Paolo Veronese

Vision of St Helen

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Key People

Paolo Veronese (1528-1588) was an Italian painter of the Renaissance in Venice. He adopted the name Paolo Cagliari or Paolo Caliari, and became known as "Veronese" from his birthplace in Verona. Veronese, Titian, and Tintoretto constitute the triumvirate of pre-eminent Venetian painters of the late Renaissance (1500s).
Veronese is known as a supreme colourist, and for his illusionistic decorations in both fresco and oil. This piece dates from his later output.

St Helen, mother of the Roman emperor Constantine (306-337 A.D.), is shown sleeping, seated, with her head resting on her hand. Sacred history attributes to her the vision – or rather the dream – that led her to find the true Cross, materialised and supported by a winged cherub. The iconography is not especially traditional for Venetian art, where the Saint is usually shown standing by the cross.

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Paolo Veronese

Vision of St Helen

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