Pan Reclining before a Large Vase

Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione

National Gallery of Art

The image shows a landscape viewed from an elevated perspective. The horizon is low in the picture, revealing distant mountains and a body of water with detailed etching. To the left, two figures with rustic elements are depicted, one seated and leaning against a tree trunk with legs extended, while the other stands nearby with a staff. Further to the right, a large, ornate urn sits atop a raised stone structure. A sheep is depicted grazing close by. The artwork uses a monochromatic color palette of black and white, emphasizing contrast. The artist’s signature, Castiglione, is engraved in the upper left corner.