honouraWy interred, and his death was regretted by many, more especially in Venice, seeing that he was exceedingly ready of speech, a pleasant companion, and the favoured associate of many among the citizens: he delighted in music, and having given considerable attention to the Latin tongue, he had much force and grace of manner in his discourse.[1]
This master drew his figures in a large and grand style, he was exceedingly rich in invention, and possessed the power of imitating whatever he beheld to perfection, but was above all skilful and bold in works of fresco. One of his disciples was Pomponio Amateo da San Vito, who by favour of his good qualities was accepted by Pordenone as his son-in-law.[2] Pomponio always followed the manner of his master very closely, he acquitted himself exceedingly well in all his works, instances of which may be seen in Udine, where he painted the new doors of the organ in oil, depicting the Saviour expelling the Buyers and Sellers from the Temple, on the outer surface of the doors, and the story of the Pool of Bethesda, with that of the Raising of Lazarus, on the inner side of the same. In the church of San Francesco in the same city, there is a painting in oil by the hand of Pomponio, it represents San Francesco receiving the Stigmata, with an exceedingly beautiful landscape, the moment chosen being that of the sun’s rising, and from the centre of the light there stream forth beams of seraphic splendour, which fall directly on the hands, feet, and side of the Saint; the latter, kneeling devoutly, with an expression full of love, is receiving the
- ↑ There are several works of importance by Pordenone, which our author omits to mention. An Adoration of the Magi in the cathedral of Treviso, for example, with numerous frescoes in the church of San Salvatore di Casa Colalto, near Treviso. The picture of the High Altar in that church is likewise by Pordenone; this last, if the recollection of the present writer be not at fault, is a Tryptica, the centre compartment representing the Transfiguration of Christ; on the wings or folds are figures of saints, St. Peter and St. John the Baptist namely, -with SS. Prosdocimus and Jerome. These works are all in good preservation, and are powerfully drawn; the colouring also is full of energy, and is exactly what might be expected from the boldness of manner attributed to this master. Other works, likewise nnmentioned by Vasari, also exist; for details respecting which the reader is referred to the Kunstblatt for 1844, No. 38.
- ↑ Ridolfi gives a short account of Pomponio da San Vito. He was bom in 1505, and died about 1588. Examples of his works may be seen at Obcrzo; in the cathedral of Treviso, and in that of Ceneda,
