Andrea de Leone (Naples 1610-1685)

In its layout and rapid penwork, this sheet relates closely to the study of Philip baptizing the eunuchs at Windsor Castle and the Bacchanal at the Frits Lugt Collection, Paris of similar size and both dated by Miriam Di Penta to the artist’s decade in Rome, 1630-1640 (Andrea De Leone (Napoli 1610-1685). Dipinti – Disegni, Rome, 2016, nos. D.18, D.36, ill.), Executed in preparation for paintings, these compositional studies attest to Leone’s admiration for Poussin’s arrangements. As do many of the artist’s drawings, this sheet bears an attribution to Castiglione (possibly written over an older inscription ‘Leone f’).

We are grateful to Miriam Di Penta for confirming the attribution to the artist based on a digital photograph.