David with the Head of Goliath

c. 1655

Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione

Associated Names
Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione

Artist, Italian, 1609 - 1664

The image features a detailed drawing with a central figure holding a large head, possibly decapitated, with eyes closed and overgrown hair and beard. The central figure's upper body is visible, with its head turned to the right, featuring softly rendered facial features and adorned with curly hair topped by an elaborate headpiece or helmet decorated with feathers. The figure wears a draped garment with folds and patterns. On the right side, there is another bearded male head in profile. The backdrop is a blend of shades and strokes, creating a sense of depth without discernible details, giving an ancient or mythological atmosphere. The drawing is monochrome, emphasizing texture through shading and highlighting facial features and attire details.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    monotype in brown oil pigment on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Andrew W. Mellon Fund

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 34.8 x 24.8 cm (13 11/16 x 9 3/4 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1977.30.1

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Bartsch, undescribed

Artwork history & notes

Exhibition History

1989

  • Italian Etchers of the Renaissance & Baroque, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., 1989, no. 137a, repro.

1997

  • Six Centuries/Six Artists, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1997.

2001

  • The Unfinished Print, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2001.

2004

  • The Unfinished Print, The Frick Collection, New York; Städelsches Kunstinstitut, Frankfurt am Main, 2004-2005.

2012

  • The Baroque Genius of Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D. C., 2012

Bibliography

1802

  • Bartsch, Adam. Le peintre graveur. 21 vols. Vienna, 1802-1821: Adam. Le peintre graveur. 21 vols. Vienna: J.V. Degen, 1802-1821.

1989

  • Reed, Sue Welsh and Richard Wallace. Italian Etchers of the Renaissance & Baroque. Musuem of Fine Arts, Boston, 1989: no.137a.

1996

  • Hults, Linda C. The Print in the Western World. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 1996, 569, 571; fig.9.57, 573.

Inscriptions

recto: none; verso: at upper center in red chalk in later hand: 2

Markings

none

Watermarks

to be identified

Wikidata ID

Q65568990

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