Famulus

Famulus (possibly Fabulus, Fabullus, or Amulius[1]) was a fresco painter famous for his work in the Domus Aurea, Rome, that was commissioned by Nero.

Pliny, in his Natural History, recounts how Famulus went for only a few hours each day to the Golden House, to work while the light was right.

"[3] The Domus Aurea frescoes' effect on Italian Renaissance painting was profound; it can be seen most obviously in Raphael's decoration for the Vatican loggias.

The white walls, delicate swags, and bands of frieze — framed reserves containing figures or landscapes — have returned at intervals ever since, notably in late 18th century Neoclassicism, making Famulus one of the most influential painters in the history of art, although it is not clear how original he actually was.

Art historian Nunzio Giustozzi writes that Famulus painted in Style IV of the Pompeian Styles into which 1st-century Roman wall-painting is classified, impressionist-like coloring with deep blue, green, indigo, purple, and cinnabar red, including motion and animation in the artwork.