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Feast in the House of Levi

painting by Veronese

Quick Summary

The "Feast in the House of Levi" is a large-scale painting by the 16th-century Venetian artist Paolo Veronese. Veronese was known for his vibrant colors and grand, crowded canvases that often depicted biblical or historical scenes within elaborate architectural settings.1

The painting, originally titled "The Last Supper," was commissioned in 1573 for the refectory of the convent of Saints Giovanni e Paolo in Venice. However, the Inquisition objected to its inclusion of secular figures and details, such as a dog, a jester, and a servant with a bleeding nose, deeming them irreverent for a religious subject. Veronese defended his artistic license, but the tribunal suggested changing the painting's theme to a "Feast in the House of Levi". This allowed Veronese to retain his composition while adapting the subject matter to appease the authorities.1

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