The Nativity with God the Father and Angels
after 1647
Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione Italian, 1609-1664
Italy
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).
Etching on ivory laid paper