Young man with a trumpet facing left, from "Small Heads in Oriental Headdress" 1640 - 1655

This etching, "Young man with a trumpet facing left, from 'Small Heads in Oriental Headdress,'" is a work by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione, also known as Il Grechetto. Created between 1640 and 1655, the piece depicts a young man with a large, billowing hat playing a trumpet. His face is almost obscured by the hat's shadow, and the drawing's fine lines emphasize the subject's youth and the intricate details of his clothing. The etching's overall effect is one of lightness and spontaneity, characteristic of Castiglione's signature style. This print, now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, showcases Castiglione's mastery of the etching technique and his interest in portraying everyday subjects.