Study of a Putto in Three-Quarters View
Drawing on paper, mounted within a tabernacle-style frame • Attributed to the Italian School; possibly Circle of Guido Reni or Guercino
Style & Movement
Italian Mannerism/Early Baroque transition
Medium & Technique
Black chalk or graphite with highlights on cream wove paper; features refined blending and cross-hatching to define volume
Creation Period
Circa late 16th to early 17th century (Late Mannerist or Early Baroque)
Dimensions & Format
Estimated 25 x 18 cm (sight); portrait orientation within a larger architectural gesso and gilt frame
Subject Description
A preparatory head study of a young child or putto, depicted looking downward and slightly to the right. The composition focuses on facial contours and curly hair, characteristic of ecclesiastical decorative programs or mythological paintings.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; visible foxing and minor toning commensurate with age
Estimated Market Value
$4,000 - $7,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$3,000 - $5,000 USD
Provenance History
Unknown; the high-quality 19th-century revival tabernacle frame suggests 19th-century collector's taste and potentially European aristocratic ownership
Art Historical Significance
Demonstrates the importance of 'disegno' in Italian workshop practice, serving as a pedagogical tool or model for larger fresco or oil compositions.
Notable Features
Housed in an elaborate, neo-Renaissance tabernacle frame with carved rosettes and columnar supports, which significantly enhances its presentation.
Condition Issues
Notable foxing (brown spots) in the upper left quadrant, light paper yellowing, and minor acid transfer from an older mounting.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional deacidification and removal of foxing; remounting using acid-free materials and UV-protective museum glass.