Paolo Porpora

Variant namesauktoriserad namnform: Paolo Porpora

DatesBiographical dates: 1617 - 1673 Dead: dead 1673 Born: born 1617

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BiographyBiography: Paolo Porpora was born in Naples. At the age of fifteen he entered the workshop of Giacomo Recco (1603–before 1653), remaining there for three years. It is possible that after this period he joined the workshop of Aniello Falcone (1600–1665). In time, Porpora became acquainted with two Dutch still-life painters active in Naples, Marseus van Schrieck (c. 1619–1678) and Matthias Withoos (1627–1703). Perhaps through the influence of these artists, Porpora found his own particular artistic expression, often focusing on the more sinister aspects of the undergrowth in his still lifes. Typical of his compositions is the contrasting interplay between reptiles or amphibians, such as vipers, lizards and toads, and insects, depicted against a backdrop of fungi, thistles, shells and ferns. In paintings of sea- or lakeshores, there are peculiar crayfish and shells instead. In 1656 Porpora joined the Accademia San Luca in Rome, and his documented participation in the academy’s congregations during the ensuing years confirms that he was active in that city as well as in Naples. In 1666 he also joined the Virtuosi of the Pantheon and received commissions from the Chigi family. In some paintings he seems to have assimilated the fine finish and rich colours of the Roman tradition, exemplified in the work of Mario de’ Fiori (1603–1673), but he always retained his Neapolitan feel for the depiction of materials through an intense and meticulous rendering of their texture and form.

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