Castiglione
A collection of Castiglione's finest works re-examined in light of new archival research into the artist’s turbulent career and reputation.
GIOVANNI BENEDETTO CASTIGLIONE (1609-64)
Moses Showing the Tablets to the People
c. 1635-40Red-brown oil on paper | 32.3 x 47.6 cm (sheet of paper) | RCIN 904086
A drawing of a crowd of kneeling people, bowed down before and gesturing towards Moses, who stands to the right holding the Tablets
Having descended Mount Sinai, Moses shows the tablets bearing the Ten Commandments to the Israelites; the Golden Calf, the object of their worship while the Prophet was absent, is visible in the left background. Here Castiglione is starting to free himself from a slavish adherence to the rigours of the Roman Grand Manner, and he marries a serious subject with a lighter, more open composition.