Leandro da Ponte, also known as Leandro Bassano (Bassano, Italy 1577 – Venice, Italy 1622)

Born in Bassano in 1577, Leandro da Ponte was the third son of famous artist Jacopo da Ponte.

Leandro soon developed his own style, combining Venetian influence with a refined drawing technique. He uses fine marks and fresh, light colours, unlike his father, who painted much more densely.

In 1577, he painted the portrait of Doge Sebastiano Venier, as told by his peer, Carlo Ridolfi, artist and writer.

After the death of his father and his brother, Francesco, in 1592, he settled in Venice. Leandro was knighted a few years later, between 1595 and 1596, for the mastery of his portrait of Doge Marino Grimaldi.

In the first quarter of the seventeenth century, his art is characterised by new influences, a reaction to the late Venetian mannerism and a search for refined archaisms, signs of the profound crisis he suffered in his final years.

His last portraits were also affected by the new anti-conformist way of representing people.

He died in Venice in 1622.

Photo UniCredit Group (Sebastiano Pellion di Persano)