Verkündigung an die Hirten

Art Historical Context

Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione’s *Verkündigung an die Hirten* captures the dramatic biblical moment when angels announce the birth of Christ to shepherds in the fields. An Italian Baroque master active in the seventeenth century, Castiglione was renowned for his expressive drawings and prints that blended religious themes with lively, naturalistic detail Though undated, this compact work on paper reflects his lifelong fascination with dynamic movement and light, qualities that also appear in his better-known etchings influenced by Rembrandt. Executed in pen and brown ink, the drawing demonstrates Castiglione’s fluid, energetic line work. The medium allowed him to create rapid contrasts of light and shadow, giving the scene a sense of immediacy and emotional intensity within its modest 19.9 × 15 cm format. Such drawings were often preparatory studies or independent works prized by collectors for their spontaneity and technical brilliance. Now part of the Belvedere Collection in Vienna, the sheet offers visitors an intimate glimpse into Castiglione’s creative process and the enduring appeal of biblical narratives in Baroque art. Its presence in the museum highlights the rich tradition of Italian draftsmanship treasured in Austrian collections.

About the Artist

Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione · 1609–1664

Versatile and eclectic artist open to foreign influence which was unusual for an Italian artist of his time. Some of his best-known works are somewhat fantastical. He was court painter at Mantua from 1648. Comment on works: Religious; Landscapes; Animals; Mythology.