Head of a Putto or Cherub
Drawing on paper • Circle of or Manner of Peter Paul Rubens or Italian Baroque School (e.g., Gaulli or Maratta)
Style & Movement
Baroque or Rococo
Medium & Technique
Red and black chalk (trois crayons style) or sanguine, heightened with white chalk on grey-toned or weathered paper
Creation Period
17th to 18th Century
Dimensions & Format
Estimated 15 x 20 cm; Fragmentary/Irregular format
Subject Description
A preparatory study or detail of a young child's head, likely a putto or cherub, looking downward. The face is modeled with soft hatching and cross-hatching to define volume, while white chalk highlights emphasize the forehead and cheeks. The hair is rendered in fluid, curly strokes characteristic of heavenly attendants in religious or allegorical compositions.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair; evidence of historical wear and paper degradation
Estimated Market Value
$1,500 - $3,500 USD (as an anonymous Master study)
Auction Estimate
$1,200 - $2,500 USD
Provenance History
Likely from a study collection or an ecclesiastical preparatory workshop; no stamps or labels visible in the crop
Art Historical Significance
The work demonstrates the high level of anatomical study and light-modeling required for large-scale Baroque frescoes or canvases. It reflects the influence of the ‘Rubeniste’ tradition on drafting, focusing on softness and fleshy vitality.
Notable Features
Distinguished by the use of white chalk heightening ('biacca') which adds a sense of three-dimensionality; the paper tone serves as a middle value in the composition.
Condition Issues
Notable foxing (brown spots), surface abrasions, minor creasing, and significant yellowing/oxidation of the paper edge (upper right). The paper appears somewhat brittle with potential light-acidification.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional deacidification and cleaning by a paper conservator; archival mounting with acid-free materials; UV-filtering glass for display in low-light conditions.