The attribution of the drawing to Guercino is confirmed by David Stone. As the scholar notes, the drawing is not related to any of the artist's known works; it is a figure study preparatory to a possible commission for an Adoration of the Magi or an idea for an engraving. It can be dated to around 1635-1640.
Unpublished. INSCRIPTIONS: on top of verso, in brown ink (in an old hand): xvi PROVENANCE: Bologna, private collection.
