The Italian Baroque painter Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione was an animal painter, landscape painter, portrait painter, history painter, graphic artist, printmaker, draughtsman, engraver and etcher. At the beginning of the 17th century as the elder son of the couple Giulia Varese and Gio. Francesco Castiglione, he was convinced that he descended from Greek ancestors and therefore called himself Grechetto (little Greek). Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione had a sister and a brother 11 years younger called Salvatore Castiglione, who also became a painter.
According to later research, Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione probably entered the studio of the Genoese painter Giovanni Battista Paggi at a very young age and became his student. Sinibaldo Scorza and Bernardo Strozzi were also among his teachers. Moreover, Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione took early inspiration from the Flemish painters Peter Paul Rubens, who stayed in Genoa at the beginning of the 17th century, and Anthony van Dyck, who arrived there in 1621. When Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione was about 20 years old, his idols Paggi and Scorza died and he let their style live on in his works.
In Rome, where he travelled with his younger brother Salvatore, Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione joined the Accademia di San Luca. It had existed since the 16th century and all the famous painters of that time belonged to it. From then on, Claude Lorrain, Nicolas Poussin, Pietro Testa, Gian Lorenzo Bernini as well as the old masters Tizian and Raffael were among the models of Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione. While Castiglione stayed in other cities like Naples, he worked as a painter and engraver. Contrary to tradition, he did not work out his pictures in preliminary studies. The finished works bear witness to great technical brilliance. Among his contemporaries, however, he was known not only for his skill but also for his lack of control. He is said to have threatened a fellow artist who made fun of his working methods with a pistol.
At the end of the 1630s Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione returned to his hometown Genoa, where he married the Genoese Maddalena Cotuzia in the early 40s. The couple had a son, named after his grandfather Giovanni Francesco, who, like his father, took up the profession of painter. At the end of the 1640s, one year after the birth of his daughter Livia Maria, Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione returned to Rome with his family. He liked to paint pictures of animals and landscapes. A popular motif was Noah with his ark and animals. Castiglione is also credited with having invented the monotype, a mixture of drawing and prints. This art fell into oblivion, however, before 250 years later artists such as Bernardo Strozzi0, Bernardo Strozzi1 or Bernardo Strozzi2 were revived. According to historical court records, it is believed that Castiglione had to leave Rome because he tried to throw his sister off a roof and was charged with attempted murder.
In the last years of his life Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione worked as court painter for the Ducal family of Mantua. Because of the successful light and shadow effects in his paintings he was called the second Rembrandt. From this time it is said that Castiglione, in anger, destroyed one of his paintings with a knife in front of the assembled court. The works of art still preserved by Castiglione can be admired today in Rome, Genoa, Naples, Venice, Florence and Mantua. They also enrich private and public art collections in Munich, Dresden, Vienna, Paris, Windsor, Houston, Ottawa and New York.
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_Wearing_a_Plumed_Cap_Portrait_of_Bernini_-_(MeisterDrucke-1246234).jpg "Self-Portrait(?), Wearing a Plumed Cap by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Pastoral Scene, Faun and the Shepherdess or Feast before the Altar of the God Terminus by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Figure Holding a Large Banderole, from the Series Small Studies of Heads by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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_Castiglione_-_Les_animaux_embarquent_dans_larche_de_Noe_-_The_Animals_Board_Noahs_Ark_par_Cast_-_(MeisterDrucke-1319764).jpg "The Animals Board Noah")
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.jpg "A bearded man wearing a cap looking down to the right, from the series")
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.jpg "Crucifixion with the Virgin, Saints John and Mary Magdalene and God the Father, c.1651 by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Head of a Man Wearing a Feathered Cap, Possibly Bernini, Possibly a Self Portrait by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Laban Searching for Idols Among Jacob")
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.jpg "Man in Profile Facing Right, Wearing a Fur Hat, from Series of")
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.jpg "Circe with Companions of Ulysses Changed into Animals by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Figure Wearing a Fur Cap, Facing Left, from the Series Small Studies of Heads by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Circe Changing the Companions of Ulysses into Boars by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "The Holy Family on Their Flight into Egypt, ca. 1647 by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Bust of beardless old man in profile facing right, from the series of Small Heads by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Bearded Man with Shadowed Face, Wearing a Scarf and a Plumed Hat by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Man in Profile Facing Right, Wearing a Fur Hat by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Rebecca and Eliezer at the Well by Domenico Gargiulo")
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.jpg "Young Man Facing Three Quarters Right Wearing a Fur Headdress with a Plume, Jewel by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Crucifixion by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Head of an old man looking down, facing Left, from the series of Small Heads, ca. 1645-1650 by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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_Castiglione_-_The_Hebrew_people_on_a_journey_to_the_Promised_Land_Painting_by_Giovanni_Benedet_-_(MeisterDrucke-988239).jpg "The Hebrew People on a Journey to the Promised Land by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
_Castiglione_-_The_Hebrew_people_on_a_journey_to_the_Promised_Land_Painting_by_Giovanni_Benedet_-_(MeisterDrucke-988239).jpg)
.jpg "Bust of Beardless Old Man in Profile Facing Right, from the Series of Small Heads by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Head of a Man in Shadow Turned Slightly to the Left by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-1249490).jpg "Head of a Young Man in a Feathered Hat (so-called Self-Portrait) by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Theseus finding his father")
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.jpg "Man holding a scroll in front of his face, from the series of Small Heads in Ori..., ca. 1645-1650 by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Nativity with God the Father and Angels by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Head of an Old Man with Cap (Small Study of Heads with Oriental Headdresses) by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Tobit Burying the Dead, c.1647-51 by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Laban Searching for Idols in Rachel")
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.jpg "Journey of the Family of Abraham by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Man holding a scroll in front of his face, from the series of Small Heads in Oriental Costume by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Old Man with a Long Beard and Skullcap, Leaning Forward by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Adoration by the Shepherds (Old and New Testament after Castiglione) by Francesco Bartolozzi")
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.jpg "Head of a Man with a Banderole by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "God the Father Observing the Virgin and Child, Angels to the Right by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-593080).jpg "Dead Birds by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Young Man Blowing Trumpet, from the series Les petites têtes by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Head of an Old Man Facing Right, from the Series of Large Oriental Heads by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "An Old Man with a Large Beard, Seen in Front View, His Head and Eyes Lowered, from the Series The Little Heads by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Jacob")
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.jpg "Diogenes Seeking an Honest Man by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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_Castiglione_-_Homers_Odyssey_the_witch_Circe_and_Odysseus_(Ulysses)s_companions_turned_into_sw_-_(MeisterDrucke-1021931).jpg "Homer")
_Castiglione_-_Homers_Odyssey_the_witch_Circe_and_Odysseus_(Ulysses)s_companions_turned_into_sw_-_(MeisterDrucke-1021931).jpg)
.jpg "Bacchanal Before a Herm, early 1660s by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Figure Facing Right, from the Series Small Studies of Heads by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "A Satyr Reclining at the Foot of a Statue of Priapus, Goats at the Right by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Circe Changing Ulysses Men to Beasts, early 1650s by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "The Virgin and Child, God the Father Upper Right, Angels at Left by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Figure with Their Head Lowered (from the series Small Studies of Heads) by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "The Invention of the Bodies of St. Peter and St. Paul, c. 1650 by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "The Nativity with God the Father and Angels by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Head of a man wearing a feathered cap possibly Bernini, possibly a self portrait, ca. 1645-1650 by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Noah and the Animals Entering the Ark by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Young Man Wearing a Fur Headdress with a Headband, Facing Right by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Two Shepherds, a Donkey, and Other Animals in a Landscape, ca. 1638-1640 by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "The Large Heads of Men in Oriental Headdress: A Man Nearly in Profile and Turned to Left by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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_Castiglione_-_Study_of_animals_Cow_turkey_rabbit_Painting_by_Giovanni_Benedetto_Castiglione_di_-_(MeisterDrucke-970618).jpg "Study of Animals: Cow, Turkey, Rabbit by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
_Castiglione_-_Study_of_animals_Cow_turkey_rabbit_Painting_by_Giovanni_Benedetto_Castiglione_di_-_(MeisterDrucke-970618).jpg)
.jpg "A Satyr Reclining at the Foot of a Statue of Priapus, Goats at the Right by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Young Man without a Beard, Seen in 3/4 View, Turned to Right, Looking Down, from the Series Les petites tetes by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Allegory of Transience by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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_Castiglione_-_The_Expulsion_of_Hagar_(pen_ink_with_wash_gouache_on_paper)_-_(MeisterDrucke-1094054).jpg "The Expulsion of Hagar by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
_Castiglione_-_The_Expulsion_of_Hagar_(pen_ink_with_wash_gouache_on_paper)_-_(MeisterDrucke-1094054).jpg)
.jpg "The Angel Appearing to the Shepherds by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Entry of the Animals into Noah")
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.jpg "Circe by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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_Castiglione_-_Noah_and_the_Animals_Entering_the_Ark_circa_1630-1632_(oil_on_canvas)_-_(MeisterDrucke-1209864).jpg "Noah and the Animals Entering the Ark, circa 1630-1632 by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
_Castiglione_-_Noah_and_the_Animals_Entering_the_Ark_circa_1630-1632_(oil_on_canvas)_-_(MeisterDrucke-1209864).jpg)
_Castiglione_-_Scene_pastorale_bergere_et_faune_(Pastoral_scene_Faun_and_Shepherdess)_Peinture_-_(MeisterDrucke-1324909).jpg "Pastoral Scene. Faun and Shepherdess by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
_Castiglione_-_Scene_pastorale_bergere_et_faune_(Pastoral_scene_Faun_and_Shepherdess)_Peinture_-_(MeisterDrucke-1324909).jpg)
.jpg "A Man in Profile, turned to right, from the series Les petites tetes by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Jacob")
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.jpg "The Genius of Castiglione by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "The Flight into Egypt by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Tobit Burying the Dead, c. 1650 by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "A Man without Beard, Seen in Profile and Turned to Right. His Mouth is Open as if to Cry Out, from the Series Les Petites Tetes by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Noah and the Animals Entering the Ark by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Diogenes Searching for an Honest Man, ca. 1645-47 by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Head of an Old Bearded Man with a Turban, from the Series of Small Heads in Oriental Costume by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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_Castiglione_-_Crucifixion_Painting_by_Giovanni_Benedetto_Castiglione_dit_il_Grechetto_(1610-16_-_(MeisterDrucke-970619).jpg "Crucifixion by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
_Castiglione_-_Crucifixion_Painting_by_Giovanni_Benedetto_Castiglione_dit_il_Grechetto_(1610-16_-_(MeisterDrucke-970619).jpg)
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1338483).jpg "Old Man with a Beard Facing Front (from Series of Large Oriental Heads) by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Young Man Facing Three Quarters Right Wearing a Fur Headdress with a Plume, Jewel, ca. 1645-50 by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Mourners Over the Dead Christ by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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_Castiglione_-_Rebecca_Led_by_the_Servant_of_Abraham_c1650_-_(MeisterDrucke-1106421).jpg "Rebecca Led by the Servant of Abraham, c.1650 by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
_Castiglione_-_Rebecca_Led_by_the_Servant_of_Abraham_c1650_-_(MeisterDrucke-1106421).jpg)
.jpg "A Pagan Sacrifice by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Head of a Bearded Man with a Turban Facing Right, from the Series of Small Heads... by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Figure with Their Head Leaning Against Their Shoulder, from the Series Small Studies of Heads by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Bearded Old Man with His Head Leaning Forward, Wearing a Skull Cap, Facing Right by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Circe Changing Ulysses")
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The_Most_-_(MeisterDrucke-1375176).jpg "Cyrus is Found by John Boydell")
The_Most_-_(MeisterDrucke-1375176).jpg)
.jpg "Jacob")
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.jpg "Caravan at Rest Near a Herm by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Bearded Man Wearing a Turban by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Circe Changing Ulysses")
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_Castiglione_-_Jesus_Driving_the_Merchants_from_the_Temple_(oil_on_canvas)_-_(MeisterDrucke-908469).jpg "Jesus Driving the Merchants from the Temple by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
_Castiglione_-_Jesus_Driving_the_Merchants_from_the_Temple_(oil_on_canvas)_-_(MeisterDrucke-908469).jpg)
.jpg "The Flight Into Egypt by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Circe changing the companions of Ulysses into beasts by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-1612888).jpg "The Angel Departing from the Family of Tobit by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Man in profile facing right, wearing a fur hat, from series of Small Heads in Oriental Costume by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Rest on the Flight into Egypt by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Head of a Young Man with a Plumed Hat (series title: Small Study of Heads with Oriental Headdresses) by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Young Man with His Head Lowered, ca. 1645-1650 by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "The Festival of Pan by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Circe Changing Ulysses Men into Beasts, c.1650-1651 by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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