«The Feast in the House of Levi» — Paolo Veronese
A grand Venetian celebration unfolds: marble arches, opulent clothes, musicians, jesters, and many guests. Christ sits centered, yet blends into the lively scene.
Meant as a Last Supper, Veronese filled it with soldiers, dwarves, and jesters—deemed inappropriate by the Inquisition. Summoned in 1573, he defended his art, saying painters have the freedom of poets and madmen.
Ordered to revise it, Veronese found a clever fix: he kept every figure but changed the title. The Last Supper became The Feast in the House of Levi, a biblical event where such figures fit naturally.
The canvas is nearly 13 meters wide. Made for the refectory of Venice’s Santi Giovanni e Paolo monastery, it immersed diners in the feast. Today, it’s in the Gallerie dell’Accademia.
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2September 4, 2026 10.9K 1
