Venice Ruling with Justice and Peace
Dublin Core
Title
Venice Ruling with Justice and Peace
Description
Venice, Justice, and Peace are all personified as women in this painting. Venice sits up on a throne, above Justice and Peace, dressed in expensive and stylish clothing. Venice was often personified as a maiden, as she was described so in written works until the age of romanticism. Justice is seen to the left of Venice, holding her scales and sword. She is portrayed with these objects many times around the Piazza de San Marco, on the side of the Doge's Palace as well as on the Bell Tower. On Venice's other side is the representation of Peace, holding an olive branch.
These two values, Justice and Peace, were symbolized by the city. Justice was considered the "highest civic virtue", while Peace was important for the city to thrive economically and politically.
Below Venice, the lion that symbolizes St. Mark is seen. St. Mark is the patron saint of Venice, and is also seen in many places around the Piazza. The winged lion is seen on one of the two columns of the Piazza, as well as with the Doge on the side of the palace.
Veronese was commissioned for this work through a competition among artists to see who would be selected to create the works on the ceiling of the Doge's palace. He was selected with another artist, Francesco Bassano. This work is one of many paintings on the ceiling of the Doge's palace, this one specifically representing the values and symbols of the city of Venice.
These two values, Justice and Peace, were symbolized by the city. Justice was considered the "highest civic virtue", while Peace was important for the city to thrive economically and politically.
Below Venice, the lion that symbolizes St. Mark is seen. St. Mark is the patron saint of Venice, and is also seen in many places around the Piazza. The winged lion is seen on one of the two columns of the Piazza, as well as with the Doge on the side of the palace.
Veronese was commissioned for this work through a competition among artists to see who would be selected to create the works on the ceiling of the Doge's palace. He was selected with another artist, Francesco Bassano. This work is one of many paintings on the ceiling of the Doge's palace, this one specifically representing the values and symbols of the city of Venice.
Creator
Paolo Veronese
Source
Veronese, 1528-1588. 16th C. Venice Ruling with Justice and Peace. Place: Palazzo ducale (Venice, Italy). https://library-artstor-org.proxy.lib.duke.edu/asset/ARTSTOR_103_41822000920403.
Gisolfi, Diana. “Veronese [Caliari], Paolo.” Grove Art Online, 2003. https://www.oxfordartonline.com/groveart/view/10.1093/gao/9781884446054.001.0001/oao-9781884446054-e-7000089003.
Wordsworth, William. “On the Extinction of the Venetian Republic by...” Poetry Foundation. Poetry Foundation. Accessed September 15, 2020. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45539/on-the-extinction-of-the-venetian-republic.
Gisolfi, Diana. “Veronese [Caliari], Paolo.” Grove Art Online, 2003. https://www.oxfordartonline.com/groveart/view/10.1093/gao/9781884446054.001.0001/oao-9781884446054-e-7000089003.
Wordsworth, William. “On the Extinction of the Venetian Republic by...” Poetry Foundation. Poetry Foundation. Accessed September 15, 2020. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45539/on-the-extinction-of-the-venetian-republic.
Publisher
Signoria de Venice
Date
16th C
Contributor
Julia Curd
Rights
Data from: University of California San Diego
Format
252 x 180 cm, Oil on Canvas
Type
Painting
Coverage
Palazzo Ducale, Venice, Italy
Citation
Paolo Veronese, “Venice Ruling with Justice and Peace,” ARTHIST 89S - Visual Culture of Venice - Fall 2020, accessed October 22, 2026, https://venice.dahvc.org/fall-2020/items/show/37.