Vittore Carpaccio

Vittore Carpaccio told stories in paint, and he set them in a Venice full of real life: canals, ships, balconies, carpets hanging from windows and crowds in bright costumes. His narrative cycles are packed with detail and still read like picture books.

He was born in Venice around 1465 and worked in the circle of Gentile Bellini. His great project was The Legend of Saint Ursula, a cycle of nine canvases begun around 1490, now in the Gallerie dell’Accademia in Venice. Another cycle survives in its original setting at the Scuola di San Giorgio degli Schiavoni, including Saint Augustine in His Study. He also painted The Miracle of the Relic of the Cross at the Ponte di Rialto. His last years were spent in Capodistria, where he died around 1526.

Arrival of the English Ambassadors, part of the Saint Ursula cycle, is full of small scenes. Look at the people on the edges.