Two Camels by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione

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...

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