Valerio Castello (Genoa 1624-1659)

This composition draws its inspiration from an illustration by Valerio's father, Bernardo, that was made for an edition of Torquato Tasso's heroic poem, Gerusalemme Liberata, in 1617. The scene depicted is taken from Canto II, verses 26-35, showing the Christian Sophronia and her lover Olindo rescued from death by the Amazon Clorinda, who offers her services to the Saracen king in the coming battle with the Crusaders in return for their release. Manzitti dates the present lot to 1644-45, when Castello was barely twenty years of age; it evidences his precocious talents that would stand him out as one of the most individual spirits of the Baroque, and a leading light in Genoa during the first half of the 17th century.