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Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione (1609-64)

The Genius of Castiglione dated 1648

Etching | 37.2 x 25.0 cm (platemark) | RCIN 830465

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  • An etching of a nude youth in a plumed hat reclining on a wall with a trumpet in his left hand and a book supported by his extended right hand; at his feet, a child with a bird in a basket, and another playing a drum; above, to the left of a carved plinth surmounted by a bust, a winged putto with a trumpet points to a laurel wreath held by a pair of hands. Inscribed in the centre; Genium Io: / Benedicti / Castilionis / Ianuen / Inv. Fe.; and below, Si vendono in Roma da Gio: Iacomo de Rossi. 1648 alla Pace / Ill.o atq. Ornmo / D. Ma: / Da Meruhe Dno de / Clootuijck bonar. Artium / Mæcenati dignissimo / Jo: Jacobus De Rubeis. D.D.D.

    This is, appropriately, the most famous etching of Castiglione, inscribed at the centre ‘The Genius of Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione of Genoa, [who] invented and made [this]’ – ‘Genius’ in the old sense of ‘guiding spirit’. The languorous male figure is not a literal self-portrait, though he does sport the same velvet beret and plumes seen in Castiglione’s self-portrait etching (RCIN 830472.g) and should be understood as the artist’s ideal self.

    Much of the iconography of the print is concerned with the concept of artistic fame. Fecundity and creativity are expressed by the basket of poultry and the rabbit, the artist’s palette and brushes, and the sheet of music. The reclining figure embraces a herald’s trumpet; behind is a huge palm of victory; a child beats a drum whilst a winged putto toots on another trumpet and points to the arrival of the crown of immortality. And yet even though Castiglione proclaims allegorically that his genius, as expressed through his art, will lead him to eternal fame, he acknowledges that his achievement will be prey to the ravages of time – just as the ancient sculpture and architecture depicted here are ruined and overgrown by weeds.

    Text adapted from Portrait of the Artist, London, 2016
    Provenance

    Probably Joseph Smith, British Consul in Venice; from whom purchased by George III, 1762

  • Medium and techniques

    Etching

    Measurements

    37.2 x 25.0 cm (platemark)

    37.5 x 25.3 cm (sheet of paper)


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