Veronese: The Renaissance Painter Who Loved Dogs So Much He Faced the Inquisition

Veronese's Dogs

Veronese: The Renaissance Painter Who Loved Dogs So Much He Faced the Inquisition

Art historian Thomas W. Laqueur examines the dogs in Paolo Veronese's paintings, from Cupid with Two Dogs to The Wedding Feast at Cana. He argues the artist's tender, attentive depictions of canines reveal a genuine love of dogs—one that may have drawn the attention of the Inquisition. The essay explores how these animals humanize grand scenes and mirror human emotion.

It would be a surprise, given his careful attention, if Veronese did not in fact love dogs.

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2026-09-19