Valerio Castello (1624-1659)

• Born in Genoa.
• He was one of the pre-eminent Ligurian painters of his time.
• His art drew inspiration from a wide range of sources.
• He painted on canvas and fresco.
• He was the youngest son of Bernardo Castello, who died when Valerio was six years old.
• Valerio and his brothers were attached to the noble family of Torquato.
• While it had been the original intention for him to study a literate profession, he showed an affinity to drawing.
• This was noted by his patrons, who arranged his apprenticeship with Domenico Fiasella.
• Later he studied with Giovanni Andrea de’ Ferrari.
• To seek new inspiration, he travelled to Milan and then to Parma, probably between 1640 and 1645.
• Among his pupils were Bartolomeo Biscaino, Giovanni Paolo Cervetto, and Stefano Magnasco (the father of Alessandro).
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