The Virgin and Child with Saint John the Baptist
Adoration of the Magi, circa 1650 (MBA Strasbourg)

Valerio Castello (1624 – October 1659) born in Genoa, was an Italian painter of the Baroque period and one of the pre-eminent Ligurian painters of his time. His art drew inspiration from a wide range of sources. He painted on canvas and fresco.[1]

Life

He was the youngest son of Bernardo Castello, who died when Valerio was six years old. Valerio and his brothers were attached to the noble family of Torquato. While it had been the original intention for him to study a literate profession, he showed an affinity to drawing. This was noted by his patrons, who arranged his apprenticeship with Domenico Fiasella. Later he studied with Giovanni Andrea de’ Ferrari. To seek new inspiration, he travelled to Milan and then to Parma, probably between 1640 and 1645. In Milan he admired the work of Camillo Proccacini. From there, he traveled to Parma.[1]

He excelled in painting battle-scenes. He was also quite prolific within Genoa during his short life. He painted the Rape of the Sabines, now in the Palazzo Brignole, Genoa, and decorated the cupola of the Basilica della Santissima Annunziata del Vastato in the same city.[2] For the house of Francesco Maria Balbi, he collaborated with the quadraturista from Bologna, Andrea Sghizzi to fresco the palace.

In his works he is regarded by his admirers as combining the fire of Tintoretto with the general style of Paolo Veronese.[2] Castello influenced the work of young Domenico Piola. He also admired the work of Anthony van Dyck, who had spent a long time in Genoa and whose paintings could be seen all over the city. Among his pupils were Bartolomeo Biscaino, Giovanni Paolo Cervetto, and Stefano Magnasco (the father of Alessandro).

References

  1. 1 2 Maria Clelia Galassi and Federica Lamera. "Castello (ii)." Grove Art Online. Oxford Art Online. Oxford University Press. Web. 11 Mar. 2016.
  2. 1 2 One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Castello, Valerio". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 5 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 472.

Sources

  • Camillo Manzitti, Valerio Castello, Turin, 2004. 2nd edition 2008.
  • Camillo Manzitti, Valerio Castello, Genoa, 1972.
  • Valerio Castello 1624-1659 Genio Moderno, Catalogue of the exhibition curated by Marzia Cataldi Gallo, Luca Leoncini, Camillo Manzitti, Daniele Sanguinetti, Ginevra-Milano, 2008.
  • Raffaele Soprani, Le Vite de Pittori, Scoltori et Architetti Genovesi, Giuseppe Bottaro e Gio Battista Tiboldi Compagni, Genoa, 1674. Pagine 231–236.
  • Raffaello Soprani, Vite de Pittori, Scultori ed Architetti Genovesi; Second edition, volume I: revised and expanded by Carlo Giuseppe Ratti, Stamperia Casamara, dalle Cinque Lampadi, con licenza de superiori, Genova, 1768. Pagine 339–350.
  • Giuseppe Ginori, Serie degli uomini i più illustri nella pittura, scultura, e architettura..., 1773.

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