Venice receiving the Doges corno hat from Juno Veronese (Paolo Cagliari) (1528-1588)

The composition presents a hierarchical arrangement of figures within a celestial setting. Above, a female figure, identifiable as a goddess due to her classical attributes – a laurel wreath and flowing drapery – is positioned amidst swirling clouds. She holds aloft a ceremonial hat, seemingly offering it downwards. The light source appears to emanate from behind this upper figure, creating a halo effect that emphasizes her divine status.
Below, another female figure is depicted in a gesture of supplication or reception. Her arms are raised towards the descending hat, and her expression conveys a sense of reverence or anticipation. She reclines on what seems to be a stone structure, accompanied by a sculpted male head – likely a representation of a historical figure or allegorical personification – that rests beside her.
Several objects fall from the goddess’s grasp: golden vessels and what appears to be a small crown or diadem. These items descend towards the lower figure, suggesting a bestowal of power, wealth, or authority. The background is dominated by a pale blue sky, which contributes to an atmosphere of grandeur and otherworldliness.
The subtexts within this work revolve around themes of divine legitimacy and civic governance. The act of transferring the hat signifies the transfer of power – a symbolic endorsement from the realm of mythology onto the earthly domain. The falling objects likely represent the prosperity and prestige associated with that authority. The sculpted male head beside the receiving figure may symbolize a connection to the past, suggesting continuity between historical leadership and divine sanction. Overall, the painting conveys a narrative of origin or foundation, where a city’s power is attributed to a higher, mythological source.