_Domenico Morone_ (Veronese: 1442-1508?)
Domenico Morone was in 1493 called upon by the Veronese
authorities in conjunction with Liberale (1134) to adjudicate
upon an artistic dispute. It seems, therefore, that he was
recognised as a leading painter of the day. This also is
Vasari's estimate: Domenico, he says, was in higher repute than
any other painter of Verona, Liberale alone excepted. Little,
however, is known to us about Domenico. Only two pictures are
known to bear his signature; one of these, a "Madonna and
Child," is in the Berlin Gallery. He was the father of the
better known Francesco Morone (285).
Possibly scenes from the _fêtes_ at the marriage of Isabella d'Este
and Francesco Gonzaga, Marquis of Mantua.[235] Domenico Morone,
called Pellacane, the dog-skinner, from his father's occupation, may
have been present at the marriage ceremony, which took place in 1490;
but at any rate these little pictures are of historical interest as
contemporary illustrations. The scene in both is a tilt court, with its
seat of honour in the middle. In the first the knights are tilting, the
marquis being on his throne and the seats filled with ladies. In the
second the tilting is over, courtiers and ladies are dancing in the
side compartments; whilst in the centre a knight in full armour, but
bareheaded, awaits his award of victory from Isabella and her husband,
who are standing on the dais. There is much artistic merit in the
sprightly way in which such momentary actions as that of the page going
to spring over the partition in 1212 are rendered (see _Times_, July
24, 1886).