What movement is Jesus in the House of Simon the Pharisean, by Bonifacio de' Pitati?

Jesus in the House of Simon the Pharisean, by Bonifacio de' Pitati is associated with Mannerism.

Can I buy a print of Jesus in the House of Simon the Pharisean, by Bonifacio de' Pitati?

Museum-quality prints of Jesus in the House of Simon the Pharisean, by Bonifacio de' Pitati are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Jesus in the House of Simon the Pharisean, by Bonifacio de' Pitati

Bonifazio Veronese , 1550

Jesus in the House of Simon the Pharisean, by Bonifacio de' Pitati is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Bonifazio Veronese. It dates from 1550 and is held in the collection of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1550 by the Venetian painter Bonifacio de’ Pitati, also known as Bonifazio Veronese, this oil on canvas portrays a biblical episode in a domestic interior. The work is part of the religious genre and reflects the Mannerist tendencies that were emerging in mid‑sixteenth‑century Venice. It is currently housed in the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium.

Subject & Meaning

The composition shows Christ seated at a table surrounded by a small group of figures, including a kneeling woman and a man on a bench. The setting includes a bowl, a pitcher, and a modest spread, suggesting a hospitality scene linked to the Gospel narrative of Jesus visiting the house of Simon the Pharisee. The arrangement invites contemplation of hospitality and moral instruction.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil, the painting demonstrates the luminous colour palette typical of Venetian art, combined with elongated forms and complex poses characteristic of Mannerism. Pitati’s handling of light on the figures and the atmospheric background, with a cloudy sky visible beyond a fenced garden, creates depth while emphasizing the emotional tenor of the gathering.

History & Provenance

After its creation in the mid‑1500s, the canvas entered various private collections before being acquired by the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, where it remains on display. Documentation traces its ownership through several European dealers, confirming its attribution to Pitati and its consistent identification as a religious work.

Context

Bonifacio de’ Pitati worked in the Republic of Venice during a period of artistic transition, bridging the High Renaissance and the emerging Mannerist style. His approach influenced younger Venetian painters such as Andrea Schiavone and Jacopo Tintoretto, who adopted his dynamic compositions and expressive figures in their own religious narratives.