Small Oriental Head

c. 1645/1647

Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione

Associated Names
Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione

Artist, Italian, 1609 - 1664

The image depicts the profile view of a person's head and upper torso facing to the right. Their facial features include a nose and closed lips, with an upwards tilt. The person is wearing a turban-style headdress with feathers and possibly a floral element. They are dressed in a loose-fitting garment and have an earring dangling from one ear. In the background, there is plain space with handwritten text that reads "Gio Castiglione Genovese" in the upper right corner.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.
Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching on laid paper (an early impression)

  • Credit Line

    Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund

  • Dimensions

    plate: 10.5 x 8.1 cm (4 1/8 x 3 3/16 in.)
    sheet: 10.9 x 8.5 cm (4 5/16 x 3 3/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1991.135.2

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Bartsch, no. 33, State only

Artwork history & notes

Exhibition History

1997

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

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.

1959

  • Basan, p.116.

1982

  • Bellini 24.

Inscriptions

upper right in plate: GBC / CASTILIONE / GENOVESE -; by later hand, lower center verso in graphite: (?) 9811

Wikidata ID

Q74894053

You may be interested in

Loading Results