The Death of Joseph.

Brown ink, black chalk, 30,0 x 19,9 cm (visible), laid paper (stains).

Under passe-partout and frame.

The composition shows an affinity to Carlo Maratti's (1625-1713) painting from 1676 for the Santa Maria della Pace in Rome, now in Vienna (Kunsthistorisches Museum, inv. 534). A set of preparatory drawings in New York (The Morgan Library & Museum, inv. 2009.206) also shows variations on the placements of the figures around the death bed of Joseph. Our sheet has a more finished look than the Morgan sketches. Maratti often worked out preliminary composition ideas after moving on to a more finished workshop drawing in black chalk and pen. Our sheet can be compared to "The Virgin and Saint Rosalia interceding with Christ" in New York (The Metropolitan Museum of Art, inv. 61.212.2), which has the same vibrant penwork.