(Bernard), an Italian painter, was born at Genoa in 1557; and excelled in colouring and in portraits. He was the intimate friend of Tasso, and took upon himself the task of designing and etching the figures of his Jerusalem Delivered. He died at Genoa in 1629.

Valerio Castelli, one of his sons, was born at Genoa in 1625, and surpassed his father. He particularly excelled in painting battles; which he composed with spirit, and executed them with so pleasing a variety, and so great freedom of hand, as gained him universal applause. His horses are admirably drawn, thrown into attitudes that are natural and becoming, full of motion, action, and life. In that style of painting he showed all the fire of Tintoretto, united with the fine taste of composition of Paolo Veronese. He died in 1659. The works of this master are not very frequent; but they are deservedly held in very high esteem. It is believed that a greater number of his earliest pictures are in the collections of the nobility and gentry of England, than in any other part of Europe.