Paolo Veneziano

[7][8] His style is "still Byzantine", that is to say Italo-Byzantine, but increasingly influenced by the Gothic art developing north of the Alps, and personal elements.

He was the official painter of Andrea Dandolo, for whom he and his sons Luca and Giovanni painted the Pala Feriale or “weekday altarpiece”, for the famous metalwork and enamel Pala d'Oro of the St Mark's Basilica in Venice, which was only opened on Sundays and feast days.

[10] Paolo was in the past identified with the artist responsible for the works attributed to the Master of the Washington Coronation.

[11] Paolo's style was indebted to Byzantine influences but also betrays a knowledge of contemporary painting in Rimini.

Through his art he was the founder of the Venetian school which would exert its influence throughout the 14th century and in particular on Lorenzo Veneziano,[2] apparently not a relation, but possibly a pupil.