Pala feriale

Paolo Veneziano's Pala Feriale of 1345 is a masterwork of Venetian Gothic painting, created as a weekday cover for the celebrated Pala d'Oro in the Basilica of San Marco. This monumental work, commissioned by Doge Andrea Dandolo, depicts scenes from the life of Saint Mark and was designed to protect and complement Venice's most sacred treasure. Paolo Veneziano was the founder of the Venetian school, synthesizing Byzantine tradition with Gothic innovation.

Egg tempera and gold on large wooden panels with extensive gilding and tooled decoration. Paolo's style maintains strong Byzantine elements in its hieratic composition and rich gold grounds while introducing Gothic naturalism in the narrative scenes and figural proportions.