Giovanni Benedetto, a celebrated painter, was born at Genoa in 1616. His first master was Gio-Battista Paggi. Afterwards he studied under Andrea Ferrari; and lastly perfected himself from the instructions of Anthony Van Dyck, who at that time resided at Genoa. He painted portraits, historical pieces, landscapes, and castles; in the latter of which he is said chiefly to have excelled; as also in fair markets, and all kinds of rural scenes. By this master Castiglione we have also a great number of etchings, which are all spirited, free, and full of taste. The effect is, in general, powerful and pleasing; and many of them have a more harmonized and finished appearance than is usual from the point, so little assisted by the graver. His drawing of the naked figure, though by no means correct, is notwithstanding managed in a style that indicates the hand of the master.

His son, Francesco, was bred under himself, and excelled in the same subjects; and it is thought that many good paintings which are ascribed to Benedetto, and are frequently seen at sales, or in modern collections, are copies after him by his son Francesco, or perhaps originals of the younger Castiglione.

a small but strong town of Italy, in Mantua, with a castle. It was taken by the Germans in 1701, and the French defeated the Imperialists near it in 1706. E. Long. 10. 29. N. Lat. 43. 23.