![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 Virgin and Child with Saints Catherine and Mary Magdalene
c. 1655-60RCIN 904035
The uncomfortable poses of the angel and St Catherine and the staccato handling of the oil paint indicate that this is a late work. Castiglione seems to have been primarily concerned with establishing a rhythm of lights and darks across the surface of the paper. In the densest areas the brushstrokes have coalesced into solid patches of paint, and the resulting bleed-through of oil can be seen on the reverse of the sheet, exposed on the other side of the plinth. At top right is a skilful early repair of a damaged area, patched using an off-cut from another Castiglione drawing.
Cat. 65