CASTELLO, GIOVANNI BATTISTA, known as il BERGAMASCO. - Painter and architect, born at Gandino (Bergamo) about 1509, died at Madrid in 1569. Initially a pupil of Aurelio Russo at Genoa, he became acquainted with the work of Pierino del Vaga and Luca Cambiaso, whose manner he subsequently followed; at Rome he completed his artistic educa-
tion. In 1552 he was again at Genoa, where he pursued an intense activity chiefly as an architect, reflecting the forms of Galeazzo Alessi.
Among C.’s most significant works in the field of painting are the frescoes at the Nunziata of Portoria and those in the Prefecture palace at Bergamo; in that of architecture, the Carrega-Cataldi, Doria, and Podestà palaces at Genoa. His contribution to the renovation of the Gothic church of S. Matteo (completed in 1559) is of interest. Among his religious constructions we may also mention the chapel in the church of S. Caterina. In 1567 he went to Spain in the service of Filippo II.