Solomon and the Queen of Sheba (recto); Sketch of the Queen of Sheba (verso)

Art Historical Context

Behold this exquisite double-sided drawing by Bernardo Castello, a prominent Genoese artist active the late 16th century. Created between 1590 and 1599, the recto depicts the biblical encounter between King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, from the Old Testament story in 1 Kings where she visits Jerusalem to test his legendary wisdom with riddles and gifts. The verso features a preparatory sketch of the Queen herself highlighting Castello's process of refining figures. This panoramic sheet, measuring just 13 × 43 cm, captures a moment of cultural exchange and splendor in Mannerist style, with elongated forms and dynamic compositions influenced by Michelangelo. Executed in pen and iron gall ink on ivory laid paper, the work showcases Castello's mastery of line work. Iron gall ink, a Renaissance staple made from oak galls and iron salts, yields rich, velvety blacks that deepen over time, lending the drawing its dramatic intensity. The thin, creamy laid paper—evident in its subtle chain lines—allowed for precise, fluid strokes, making it ideal for detailed narrative scenes prized in princely collections. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Prints and Drawings department, this piece reflects the era's fascination with biblical history as a vehicle for moral and artistic virtuosity. Castello, known for frescoes and engravings in Genoa's churches, often explored such grand themes, bridging Renaissance grandeur with emerging Baroque energy. A gem for visitors, it invites contemplation of wisdom's timeless allure.

About the Artist

Bernardo Castello · 1557–1629

He may have been born in Genoa. Comment on works: Landscapes