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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_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 "A Satyr Reclining at the Foot of a Statue of Priapus, Goats at the Right by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "A bearded man wearing a cap looking down to the right, from the series")
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 - (MeisterDrucke-38272).jpg "The Nativity, c.1645 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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_Castiglione_-_Arche_de_Noe_-_Baroque_The_Animals_Board_Noahs_Ark_par_Castiglione_Giovanni_Ben_-_(MeisterDrucke-1028678).jpg "The Animals Board Noah")
_Castiglione_-_Arche_de_Noe_-_Baroque_The_Animals_Board_Noahs_Ark_par_Castiglione_Giovanni_Ben_-_(MeisterDrucke-1028678).jpg)
_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")
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.jpg "The Fable of Diogenes, Looking with a Lantern for a Good Man by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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_Wearing_a_Plumed_Cap_Portrait_of_Bernini_-_(MeisterDrucke-1246234).jpg "Self-Portrait(?), Wearing a Plumed Cap by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
_Wearing_a_Plumed_Cap_Portrait_of_Bernini_-_(MeisterDrucke-1246234).jpg)
_Castiglione_-_Portrait_of_the_Italian_Cardinal_Ottaviano_Raggi_(oil_on_canvas_-_(MeisterDrucke-951445).jpg "Portrait of the Italian Cardinal Ottaviano Raggi by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
_Castiglione_-_Portrait_of_the_Italian_Cardinal_Ottaviano_Raggi_(oil_on_canvas_-_(MeisterDrucke-951445).jpg)
_-_(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 "Bearded Man in a Fur Cap, Facing Left by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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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 "The Angel Appearing to the Shepherds 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)
.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 "Man in Profile Facing Right, Wearing a Fur Hat, from Series of")
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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 "Bearded Man Wearing a Turban 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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.jpg "Saint Francis in Ecstasy, ca. 1650 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 "Noah and the animals entering the ark, ca. 1650-55 by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Laban Searching for Idols Among Jacob")
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.jpg "The Holy Family on Their Flight into Egypt, ca. 1647 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")
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.jpg "Jacob")
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.jpg "The Creation of Adam, c. 1642 by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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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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_-_(MeisterDrucke-1338483).jpg "Old Man with a Beard Facing Front (from Series of Large Oriental Heads) by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1338483).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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_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")
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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 an Old Man with Cap (Small Study of Heads with Oriental Headdresses) 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 "Laban Searching for Idols in Rachel")
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.jpg "Finding the Bodies of Saints Peter and Paul 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 "The Oath of Abraham")
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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 "Temporalis Aeternitas 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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.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 "Pastoral Scene, Faun and the Shepherdess or Feast before the Altar of the God Terminus by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Head of a Man with a Turban with Tassel (series title: Large Study of Heads with Oriental Headgear) by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Circe with Companions of Ulysses Changed into Animals 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 "The Expulsion of Hagar, c.1640 by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Bacchanal Before an Altar to the Gods, ca. 1645 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 "Circe Changing the Companions of Ulysses into Boars by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "The Genius of Castiglione by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Head of a Man with a Banderole 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 "The Farewell of Jacob and Rachel by Salvatore Castiglione")
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.jpg "Jacob")
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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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_Castiglione_-_Diogenes_Searching_for_an_Honest_Man_(etching)_-_(MeisterDrucke-1107110).jpg "Diogenes Searching for an Honest Man by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
_Castiglione_-_Diogenes_Searching_for_an_Honest_Man_(etching)_-_(MeisterDrucke-1107110).jpg)
.jpg "Circe by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Man Looking Forward with his Face in a Shadow by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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_Castiglione_-_The_entrance_of_the_animals_into_the_ark_(oil_on_canvas)_-_(MeisterDrucke-1013778).jpg "The entrance of the animals into the ark by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
_Castiglione_-_The_entrance_of_the_animals_into_the_ark_(oil_on_canvas)_-_(MeisterDrucke-1013778).jpg)
.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 "Seated Woman, Mother and Child by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "The Genius of the Painter by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Dead Bird by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Bacchanal Before a Herm, early 1660s by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "The Holy Family 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 "Circe Changing Ulysses")
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_Castiglione_-_A_Meeting_between_Two_Men_Horses_and_Camels_in_the_Background_(pen_and_brown_ink_-_(MeisterDrucke-909132).jpg "A Meeting between Two Men, Horses and Camels in the Background by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
_Castiglione_-_A_Meeting_between_Two_Men_Horses_and_Camels_in_the_Background_(pen_and_brown_ink_-_(MeisterDrucke-909132).jpg)
.jpg "Noah Letting the Animals into the Ark by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Entrance of Animals in Noah")
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.jpg "Head of a Young Man with a High Hat, Head of a Young Woman, Small Study of Heads with Oriental Headgear (series title) by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Hagar and Ishmael in the Wilderness by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Head of a Man with Turban and Fur Hat by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Two Nymphs and a Satyr by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Portrait of a Man with a Fur Cap 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 "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 "Pyrrha, c1635-1670 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 "The Finding of Moses 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 "Shepherds Following Their Flock by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Adoration of the Shepherds by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "The Bodies of Saints Peter and Paul Hidden in the Catacombs by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Head of a Sleeping Old Man (Large Study of Heads with Eastern Headdresses) 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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_Castiglione_-_Circe_changing_companions_of_Ulysses_into_beasts_-_(MeisterDrucke-1081435).jpg "Circe Changing Companions of Ulysses into Beasts by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
_Castiglione_-_Circe_changing_companions_of_Ulysses_into_beasts_-_(MeisterDrucke-1081435).jpg)
.jpg "Head of a Man in Shadow Turned Slightly to the Left by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Young Man Seen Almost in Full Profile and Turned to Right (from the series Les petites tetes) 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 "Nativity with God the Father and Angels by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Circe Transforms Odysseus’ Companions into Animals by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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.jpg "Melancholy, c. 1660-1665 by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-1407114).jpg "Offering of Noah (series title: Old and New Testament after Castiglione) by Francesco Bartolozzi")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1407114).jpg)
.jpg "Fete of Pan, 1648 by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
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_Travelers_with_Cart_Outside_Inn_(verso)_-_(MeisterDrucke-1272902).jpg "Raising of Lazarus (recto); Travelers with Cart Outside Inn (verso) by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione")
_Travelers_with_Cart_Outside_Inn_(verso)_-_(MeisterDrucke-1272902).jpg)
.jpg "Rest on the Flight into Egypt 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)
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