Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione Art

This is an original etching by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione, circa 1640, of a Young Man Looking Down to the Right. It is the only known state and belongs to the series known as 'Studies of Heads in Oriental Headdress'. Signed (in monogram) in the plate in the upper right 'G Castiglione Genovese.' In a delicate gilt/black frame. Frame dimensions 12.75" by 8.75". Certificate of Authenticity. In this work, Castiglione offers us an exquisite portrait of a young man. This small etching shows all the hallmarks of Castiglione's style: incredibly detailed etching marks that result in a wonderful play of light and shadow. The angle of the head and the lively floating feather in the young man's hat show us a figure in movement, pausing to look at something the viewer can only guess at. That such a small collection lines and cross-hatchings can evoke so much is a testament to Castiglione's genius. Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione was an Italian Baroque painter, printmaker and draftsman of the Genoese school. He is best known now for his etchings, and as the inventor of the printmaking technique of monotyping. He was known as Il Grechetto in Italy and in France as Le Benédette. Castiglione was a brilliant draftsman and pioneered the development of the oil sketch (often using a mixture of mediums) as a finished work. He is credited with having invented the monotype in 1648, the only printmaking technique to be an Italian invention, making over twenty over the succeeding years. His most popular and influential prints were a series of exotic heads, mostly of vaguely Oriental males, but also of women. From Bartch/Bellini: Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione was profoundly influenced by foreigners. He first studied with local artists in his native Genoa, absorbing not only Tuscan Mannerism and Caravaggism but also the style of Peter Paul Rubens, who had worked in Genoa. From 1621, Castiglione also worked in Anthony van Dyck's Genoa studio. Early on, he was attracted to Flemish animal painting. Though he painted portraits, historical pieces and landscapes, Castiglione excelled in rural scenes with animals and influenced Italy's animal painting specialists. By 1634, Castiglione was in Rome, where he remained for about ten years. After returning to Genoa for a time, he worked for the Mantuan court in 1648, which had also employed Rubens. There Castiglione picked up the freedom of touch he saw in Domenico Fetti's paintings. One of the first Italians to appreciate Rembrandt van...

Medium: etching. Catalogue reference: Bellini 52 iii/iii. This etching is one of the Three Plates from Large Studies of Heads executed by Castiglione, and this impression was printed...

Etching realized by Castiglione (Il Grechetto) in 1640 ca. From the Series Small Studies of Heads Good condition. Ref. Bartsch 46.43

Bearded Man with Shadowed Face, Wearing a Scarf and a Plumed Hat, (3rd state), 1645-50 Etching on laid paper 152 x 184 mm.; 6 x 7 1/4 inches References: Bellini 45 Bartsch 52 Note...

"Mythological Scene--Satyr & Goat Herder" is an etching by Italian artist Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione. It depicts a satyr lounging on the left and an approaching goat herder on th...

This is an excellent example of the kind of portraiture produced by Castiglione during the early part of the 17th century. In the image, we see the visage of a man with a mustache, wearing a fur-lined hat topped with a feathery decoration. The image is reminiscent of the work of Rembrandt van Rijn, himself known for his portraits in the form of etchings. 4 x 3.5 inches, image 15.25 x 13.25 inches, frame Inscribed "GC" in the plate, lower left This impression is from the edition ca. 1825 from the original plate of ca. 1635. Unlike many Italian artists, Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione was profoundly influenced by foreigners. He first studied with local artists in his native Genoa, absorbing not only Tuscan Mannerism and Caravaggism but also the style of Peter Paul Rubens, who had worked in Genoa. From 1621 Castiglione also worked in Anthony van Dyck's Genoa studio. Early on, he was attracted to Flemish animal...