Study of a Putto or Cherub
Old Master Drawing on paper • Attributed to the Italian School (possibly Emilian or Roman), manner of Correggio or Parmigianino
Style & Movement
Mannerism / Early Baroque
Medium & Technique
Red chalk (sanguine) and white chalk heightening on toned or age-darkened paper with pen and ink finishing
Creation Period
Late 16th to early 17th Century (High Renaissance to early Baroque transition)
Dimensions & Format
Estimated 15 x 12 cm; irregular/fragmentary format (Tondo or oval suggested)
Subject Description
A preparatory study of a youthful, curly-haired putto or cherub. The figure is depicted with a downwards-looking gaze, utilizing white chalk to define highlights and volume on the forehead and cheeks, while sanguine sets the soft shadows and contours.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair; evidence of historical age, tonal shifts in paper, and peripheral structural loss
Estimated Market Value
$1,500 - $4,500 (dependent on firm attribution)
Auction Estimate
$2,000 - $3,500
Provenance History
Likely from a private European collection or historical album of sketches; no visible stamps or inscriptions in this detail view
Art Historical Significance
A representative example of the 'Bella Maniera,' demonstrating the importance of 'disegno' (drawing) in the training of Italian painters. The softsfumato-like application of chalk shows the influence of the Parma school.
Notable Features
High-quality use of 'Aux Trois Crayons' style technique; distinctively expressive facial structure characteristic of late 16th-century Italian draftsmanship.
Condition Issues
Notable foxing and staining; paper oxidation (browning); irregular edges suggesting it was cut from a larger sheet or previously mounted; minor abrasions to the chalk surface.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional stabilization by a paper conservator; archival mounting with acid-free materials; UV-filtering glass and low-light exhibition environment.