The Genius of Castiglione

before 1648

Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione

Associated Names
Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione

Artist, Italian, 1609 - 1664

This is a drawing depicting a complex allegorical scene. The central figure appears to be carved from stone with flowing hair and a headpiece resembling feathers or leaves. A cherubic figure with wings holds a small trumpet nearby. Various items like a basket and a scroll are scattered on the ground. The line work creates rich texture and intricate detail, defining the leaves, fabric, and mythical figures in the drawing.

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Ruth B. Benedict in memory of William S. Benedict

  • Dimensions

    plate: 37 × 24.6 cm (14 9/16 × 9 11/16 in.)
    sheet: 37.3 × 25 cm (14 11/16 × 9 13/16 in.)
    framed: 59.69 × 44.45 cm (23 1/2 × 17 1/2 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1981.56.1

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Bartsch, no. 23

Artwork history & notes

Exhibition History

1983

  • Graphic Survey Show, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., May 1983.

1994

  • A Discerning Eye: Prints and Drawings Given by Ruth B. Benedict, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1994, no. 27.

1997

  • Six Centuries/Six Artists, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1997.

2006

  • "The Early Modern Painter-Etcher", Arthur Ross Gallery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia; The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota; Smith College Museum of Art, Northampton, 2006, no. 39.

2012

  • The Baroque Genius of Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D. C., 2012

Bibliography

1802

  • Bartsch, Adam. Le peintre graveur. 21 vols. Vienna, 1802-1821: Adam. Le peintre graveur. 21 vols. Vienna: J.V. Degen, 1802-1821.

1994

  • A Discerning Eye: Prints and Drawings Given by Ruth B. Benedict. Exh. cat. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1994: no. 27.

Wikidata ID

Q74037167

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