hty years old,
but still in full vigour. Titian's opinions in matters of art were
dictates, his judgment was a law. He immediately recognised Veronese's
genius, which was of a kind to appeal to him, and together with
Sansovino, who at this time was Director of Buildings to the Signoria,
he received the young painter with an approval which ensured him a good
start. Five years after Veronese's arrival he was retained to decorate
the Villa Barbaro at Maser, which is a type of those patrician
country-houses to which the Venetians were becoming more attached every
year. Daniele Barbaro, Patriarch of Aquileia, whose magnificent portrait
by Veronese is in the Pitti, was himself an artist and designed the
ceiling of the Hall of the Council of Ten. Palladio, Alessandro
Vittoria, and Veronese were associated to build him a dwelling worthy of
a Prince of the Church. In style the villa is a total contrast to the
gorgeous Venetian palaces; it is sober and simple, and well adapted to
leisure and retirement. Its white stucco walls and decorations are
devoid of gilding and colour, and the rooms adorned by Veronese's brush
show him in quite a new light. His visit to Rome did not take place till
four years later, but he has been influenced here by the feeling for the
antique, and he thinks much of line and style. He leaves on one side the
gorgeous brocades and gleaming satins, in which he usually delights, and
his nymphs are only clothed in their own beauty. And here Veronese shows
his admirable taste and discretion; his patrons, the Barbaro family, are
his friends, men and women of the world, who put no restraint on his
fancy, and are not prone to censure, and Veronese, with the bridle on
his neck, so to speak, uses his opportunities fully, yet never exceeds
the limits of good taste. He is not gross and sensual like Rubens, but
proud, grave and sweet, seductive, but never suggestive or vulgar. After
having placed single figures wherever he can find a nook, he assembles
all the gods of Olympia at a supper in the cupola. Immortality is a
beautiful young woman seated on a cloud. Mercury gazes at her, caduceus
in hand; Diana caresses her great hound; Saturn, an old man, rests his
head on his hand; Mars, Apollo, Venus, and a little cupid are scattered
in the Empyrean, and Jupiter presides over the party. Below, a balcony
rail runs round the cupola, and looking over it, an old lady, dressed in
the latest fashion, points out the company to a bea