The angel awakening Joseph to the presence of the Virgin and Child 1640 - 1654

This etching by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione, also known as Il Grechetto, depicts the moment an angel awakens Joseph to the presence of the Virgin Mary and the Christ child. The artist, known for his masterful use of chiaroscuro, creates a dramatic scene through light and shadow. The angel is rendered in a sweeping gesture, while Joseph sits in a slumped pose, seemingly startled by the divine revelation. This artwork, created between 1640-1654, is a fine example of Baroque etching.