Nativity with Angels 1609 - 1664

"Nativity with Angels" is a drawing by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione, also known as "Il Grechetto," dating back to the early 17th century. The artwork depicts the Virgin Mary cradling the baby Jesus, surrounded by a host of cherubic angels. The composition is dynamic and expressive, with the angels floating in the sky above Mary and Jesus. The use of light and shadow, achieved through the artist's deft use of pen and wash, creates a sense of depth and drama, characteristic of Castiglione's style. This drawing, now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, provides a glimpse into Castiglione's creative process as he prepared for a larger composition.