Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione
1645
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Theseus Finding Aegeus' Arms is a 1645 ink by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This image shows a dramatic scene of two figures by a rocky shore. One person kneels, holding up a sword, while the other stands, looking down with a mix of shock and recognition. Waves crash against the rocks, and the background is filled with swirling clouds and jagged cliffs. The sword’s hilt is wrapped in cloth, hinting at a hidden message. This is a story of identity—one character recognizing another through an object. Next, look up etching to see how artists like this carved intricate lines into metal plates.
Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione (baptized 23 March 1609 – 5 May 1664) was an Italian Baroque painter, printmaker and draftsman, of the Genoese school.
See the richer artist page
