Paolo Farinati

Paolo Farinati, the son of a painter and friend of and best man for Paolo Veronese, rapidly rose to high esteem and success. Probably independent beginning in the 1550s, he worked mainly in Verona and environs, and produced both religious paintings for churches and secular decorations for palaces. To further his social standing, he usurped the coat of arms of the Florentine Farinata degli Uberti family. His productive workshop, which also employed his two sons, created works in the style of Michelangelo, Giulio Romano, and later Veronese. A 'giornale' he kept, a workshop log, provides precise details about the works he produced. He was one of the most productive draughtsmen of his age.