Allegory of ‘Benifico’
ca. 1550 - 1560
Unlike his massive, colorful canvases that fill Venetian churches, this intimate sketch on blue-green paper reveals Paolo Veronese's planning process for a grand spectacle, likely a festival or theatrical set around 1550. The central figure, a crowned woman in shimmering robes (achieved with bold white highlights), stands amidst a chaotic pile of discarded crowns and scepters at her bare feet. She looks like the ultimate boss of royalty, casually gesturing over the symbols of power. The fleur-de-lis flag on the left hints at French ties, offering a fascinating glimpse into how Renaissance masters designed temporary, larger-than-life allegories.
- Technique
- Drawing with white heightening on blue paper
- Material
- Paper
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