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The Niccolò Marcello monument (constructed in Santa Marina; later moved to Santi Giovanni e Paolo), the major tomb commission probably executed in the 1480s, is a more tightly organized variant of the triumphal arch type that Pietro used first in the Pietro Mocenigo monument. Of much smaller scale, it holds only four figures in addition to the recumbent figure of the Doge. The central portion of the tomb is built forward, which emphasizes the effigy, sarcophagus and lunette relief, unlike the sprawling, flat structure of the Pietro Mocenigo monument.
In the lunette: Virgin enthroned with St Mark presenting the doge, and St Teodoro; the four statues represent the cardinal virtues; at the top is the Eternal Father.
Niccolò Marcello (c. 1399-1474) was the 69th Doge of Venice, elected in 1473. He held office for a short period, from 13 August 1473 to 1 December 1474. During his brief reign he devoted himself to reorganizing Venice's state finances. He introduced new silver coins that were called Marcello. In his will Marcello bequeathed most of his wealth to charitable ventures.
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