(Pietro Paolo Cortonese, so called), a celebrated painter of fruit and landscapes, was born at Cortona in 1580, and learned the principles of design from his father; but was afterwards the disciple of one Creciencio at Rome, and perfected himself in the most essential parts of his profession, by studying after nature, with judgment and accuracy. His merit soon recommended him to the notice and esteem of the most able judges at Rome; and as he excelled equally in painting fruit and landscape, he found a generous patron in cardinal Borghese, who employed him to adorn his palace. The fruit which he painted had so true and expressive an imitation of nature, that nothing could possibly be more exact; and by his thorough knowledge of the chiaro-fuoco, he gave an extraordinary roundness and relief to every object. But his greatest excellence consisted in his colouring; for in design he was not remarkably superior to others. He died in 1640.