![Explore the exhibition 'Castiglione: Lost Genius' at The Queen's Gallery, Edinburgh opening November 2014.](https://cmsadmin.rct.uk/sites/default/files/lead_image_half_height/Lost%20genius%20Edinburgh%20gallery%202014%20banner.jpg)
GIOVANNI BENEDETTO CASTIGLIONE (1609-64)
The Genius of Castiglione
dated 1648RCIN 830465
This allegorical print bears the title The Genius of Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione of Genoa – ‘genius’ in the sense of ‘guiding spirit’. The reclining youth wears the plumed beret seen in Castiglione’s self-portrait etching (cat. 25). Artistic creativity is embodied by a palette and a sheet of music, fertility by poultry and a rabbit; we see the trumpets and drums of fame, a huge palm of victory, and at top left the wreath of immortality. And yet weeds are starting to grow over the ancient sculpture and masonry: all human achievement is subject to the ravages of time.