Bernardo Castello

With Colnaghi, London; acquired in 1993 

New York/Paris/London, Colnaghi, Master Drawings, 1993, cat. no. 15

Sold mounted and framed in a modern gilded wood frame; window mounted. Some very minor, small tears at the upper and lower edges of the sheet, and some slight surface dirt at the margins. Two very minor, pale gray/brown stains in the upper quarter, to the left of the tree branches, but barely noticeable. Overall the condition is very good, and the wash is still strong and fresh.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This very finished drawing, executed in red chalk and wash, is a rarity in Castello's graphic oeuvre.  The majority of his drawings are in pen and brown ink, often on blue paper, heightened with white.  Possibly the largest group of Castello drawings is in the Palazzo Rosso, Genoa, which holds an album of 142 sheets depicting the New Testament, all executed in pen.  Another series was that made by Castello in 1586 to illustrate Torquato Tasso's epic poem Gerusalemme Liberata.  The book was published in 1590, and established Castello's reputation as an artist; indeed, Tasso was so pleased with his designs that he wrote a sonnet in Castello's honour.

We are very grateful to Mary Newcome Schleier for her help in cataloguing this lot.  She has kindly pointed out the resemblance between the elongated figures and those in the Gerusalemme Liberata series, indicating that this sheet must date from the same period;  Dr. Newcome Schleier has also noted that the landscape in the background is far more finished than is usual in Castello's work, linking this drawing with the miniatures of the artist's brother, Giovanni Battista Castello.