Entry of the animals into Noah's ark, three men follow quadrupeds and birds striding toward the ark in the background, another male figure points the way

Art Historical Context

In this dynamic etching titled *Entry of the Animals into's Ark*, Giovanni Benedettoiglione, known as Il Grechetto1609–1664), captures a biblical scene from Genesis with vivid energy. Created around 1650–55, the composition shows a procession of quadrupeds—c, dogs, horses, and sheep—striding toward the ark in the background, guided by three men and a pointing figure. Castiglione, a Genoese Baroque master renowned for his pastoral and animal subjects, infuses the work with a sense of lively movement, blending religious narrative with his signature naturalism. As one of the earliest Italian artists to fully embrace etching, Castiglione's technique shines here. The medium, involving acid-bitten lines on a copper plate, allowed him to achieve rich tonal contrasts and fluid, expressive strokes that mimic the textures of fur, feathers, and fabric. Measuring 8 1/8 × 15 7/8 inches, this trimmed sheet exemplifies his innovative printmaking, which bridged painting and graphics during the 17th century's artistic ferment in Italy. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department through the Bequest of Phyllis Massar in 2011, the print reflects Baroque interests in dramatic storytelling and divine order amid chaos. Visitors will appreciate how Castiglione's menagerie not only illustrates salvation but celebrates the harmony of creation.

About the Artist

Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione (Il Grechetto) · 1609–1664

Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione, known as Il Grechetto, was baptized on March 23, 1609, in Genoa and died on May 5, 1664, in Mantua. Born into a large family, he collaborated closely with his brother Salvatore, an artist who shared his talents, and later taught his son Francesco, whose works were sometimes confused with his own. His parents placed him in the studio of Giovanni Battista Paggi, where...