Renaissance in Vicenza: Palladio, Veronese, Bassano and Vittoria Unite

An important exhibition at the Basilica Palladiana in Vicenza highlights the collaboration of architect Andrea Palladio, painters Paolo Veronese and Jacopo da Bassano, along with sculptor Alessandro Vittoria, who embraced Renaissance advancements from Michelangelo and Raphael. Curated by Beltramini, Gasparotto, and Vinco, the exhibit places these artworks within the context of 16th-century Vicenza's social, economic, and political environment. Wealthy patrons, such as the Accademia Olimpica, established in 1555, commissioned frescoes for Palladio's villas and palaces, with notable supporters like Gian Giorgio Trissino and Valerio Belli. The exhibition also examines artistic methods and compares artwork values to contemporary living expenses, using the 'maiale mezzanotto' (3 ducats) as a reference point. Valerio Belli’s rock crystal cross for Pope Clement VII had a price tag of 1,000 ducats, showcasing the elevated costs of applied arts.