The Nativity with Angels

1650–57
Not on view
This is one of Biscaino’s most ambitious etchings. Its composition was inspired by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione’s 1645 painting of the Nativity in the church of Saint Luca in Genoa. Biscaino worked in Genoa and his later prints show the influence of Castiglione. His etching style, however, is more restrained; the artist excelled at modeling forms to convey subtle variations of light and dark. During his short life (he died of the plague at twenty-eight), he is known to have made around forty etchings.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: The Nativity with Angels
  • Artist: Bartolomeo Biscaino (Italian, Genoa 1629–1657 Genoa)
  • Date: 1650–57
  • Medium: Etching; first state of eight (TIB)
  • Dimensions: Sheet: 15 9/16 in. × 11 in. (39.6 × 28 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1924
  • Object Number: 24.1.2
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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