This important work by Veronese forms the altarpiece at Burghley. Originally, it was part of a triptych painted for the church of San Giacomo, on the island of Murano, Venice.
A detail from one of a pair of outstanding Neapolitan flower paintings, purchased from the artist by the 5th Earl in 1684 for 400 ducats.
The Paintings Collection
Burghley’s collection of paintings and pictures is vast and impressive. The walls of the state rooms are quite literally covered with paintings—in fact, Burghley is famous for its crowded hang of great works. There are notable portraits from the 16th century and top quality English paintings from the 18th and 19th centuries, but the collection is strongest in the genre of the Italian Old Masters. In the late 17th century, John, 5th Earl of Exeter, undertook three lengthy Grand Tours of Italy and on each journey purchased large numbers of paintings, some 350 in all, mainly from contemporary artists. He was followed, a century later, by the 9th Earl who substantially enlarged the collection. Fortunately, their tastes were similar and so the acquisitions of two of the greatest of collectors merge together into one astonishing whole.
