Attributed to VALERIO CASTELLO (Genoa, 1624-1659). "Adoration of the shepherds". Oil on canvas. Relined.

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Old Masters, Day 1

By Setdart Auction House

Nov 24, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-11-24 09:00:00 2021-11-24 09:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Old Masters, Day 1 https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/setdart-auction-house/old-masters-day-1-7873
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• Lot Description
  Attributed to VALERIO CASTELLO (Genoa, 1624-1659). "Adoration of the shepherds". Oil on canvas. Relined. It has French frame, ca. 1820. Measurements: 125 x 150 cm; 139 x 165 cm (frame). This canvas represents a classic theme in the History of Art, that of the shepherds adoring the newborn baby Jesus in the portal of Bethlehem. It is a scene that lends itself to be interpreted as a large composition with several characters, worked in a costumbrista key, so it was very much to the taste of Baroque painters, who sought above all a natural and close art, which moved the mood of the faithful and made them feel close to what was represented on the canvas, to the sacred story. In this case, the luminosity of the cloth on which Jesus stands stands out, which harmonizes with the pearly white of the Virgin's skin. Next to the Child, located on the right side of the composition, are his parents; Mary and Joseph and to the left several shepherds who have been portrayed in successive planes. The representation of this biblical theme reached great popularity, especially during the reform, since it is a scene in which a disadvantaged family is presented, since no one wanted to shelter it. However, despite this, the star has guided the three wise men and several shepherds on a pilgrimage to the birth of Jesus, thus demonstrating that he is the Messiah, a king for all social classes. This passage is collected in the Gospel according to Luke (2:15:20) which narrates "And it came to pass, when the angels departed from them into heaven, that the shepherds said one to another, Let us go over therefore unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord hath shewed unto us. So they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger. And when they saw him, they made known what had been told them concerning the child. And all who heard it marveled at what the shepherds told them. But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, as they had been told." Valerio Castello was the youngest son of Bernardo Castello, who died when Valerio was six years old. It was then that Valerio and his siblings came under the protection of Torquato's family. Because of Castello's interest and skill with drawing, Torquato's family urged him to begin his artistic career. It was then that he began to learn with the master Domenico Fiasella. He later studied with Giovanni Andrea de 'Ferrari and finally completed his apprenticeship with trips to Parma and Milan. His work achieved great recognition thanks to his mastery in painting war themes. His work shows certain aesthetic inheritances of Tintoretto and Veronese, although he also professed great admiration for Van Dyck, whose work he had been able to contemplate in Genoa.
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