Pomponio Amalteo

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Pomponio Amalteo (Motta di Livenza, 1505—San Vito al Tagliamento, 1588) was an Italian painter of the Venetian school.

He was born at Motta di Livenza in Veneto. He was a pupil and son-in-law of Il Pordenone, whose style he closely imitated; he succeeded Il Pordenone in his school at Friuli. For the churches and public places in the vicinity of Friuli, he created many historical works. His works consist chiefly of frescoes and altarpieces and many of them {e.g., in the church of Santa Maria de' Battisti, at San Vito) have suffered greatly from the ravages of time. There are also five pictures of his, representing subjects of Roman history, which adorn the hall of the notaries at Belluno.

His shading is less strong, his colors are brighter, and the proportions of his figures are less elegant, than those of Pordenone, and altogether he is considered inferior to his master, though undoubtedly the most accomplished and original of his pupils.

He had a brother named Girolamo, who is supposed to have assisted him in his labors; and a daughter Quintilia, who had the reputation of a genius, familiar with the principles both of painting and engraving, and more particularly excellent in portraits. Girolamo, besides the works in which he aided his brother, executed small pictures, painted in frescho, and produced altar-piece for the church of San Vito. He died young, but exactly when is unknown. Carlo Ridolfi commends him highly for his spirited manner.