Five children of the Visconti family.

Black and red chalk, brown ink and wash, heightened with white, framing line in black chalk, squared for transfer, 16,0 x 24,1 cm, laid paper (upper edge strengthened, traces of former mount on verso).

Good condition. Hinged at upper edges. Under passe-partout.

The head of the bed bears the arms of Visconti, a noble family from Milan. Together with the early provenance, this suggests the drawing was made by an artist from Lombardy.
Ref. Catalogue of an exhibition of Italian art of the seventeenth century. London, Burlington Fine Arts Club, 1925, p. 58, 41. - Catalogue of a loan exhibtion of drawings, XVII-XVIII century, London, Magnasco Society, 1927, 25.
Prov. Giuseppe Vallardi (1784-1861), Milanese prints and drawings dealer (stamp, L.1223). - Benno Geiger (auction catalogue). - London, Sotheby's, 7.12.1920, lot 129. - Meatyard (auction catalogue). - London, Christie's, 5.12.2006, The Oppé collection, lot 30 (as Milanese school).