The Nativity with God the Father and Angels
after 1647
Medium
Etching on ivory laid paper
Dimensions
Plate: 29.5 × 20.7 cm (11 5/8 × 8 3/16 in.); Sheet: 33.5 × 24.4 cm (13 1/4 × 9 5/8 in.)
Classification
etching
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
40775
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
A prolific painter, etcher, and draftsman, Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione produced several innovative renditions of the Nativity. The epic horizontal sweep of this etching emphasizes the cosmic power of Christ’s heavenly father (it entirely omits Joseph, Christ’s earthly stepfather).
About the Artist
Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione · 1609–1664
Versatile and eclectic artist open to foreign influence which was unusual for an Italian artist of his time. Some of his best-known works are somewhat fantastical. He was court painter at Mantua from 1648. Comment on works: Religious; Landscapes; Animals; Mythology.