Pietro Antonio de' Pietri (Novara 1663-1716 Rome)

Pietro de' Pietri was one of the most successful and accomplished followers of Carlo Maratti and the present drawing is a clear example of how he drew inspiration from, and developed, the compositions of his master. It is based on the print of the same subject by Maratta (Bartsch 1), although de' Pietri expanded the rectangular composition by including a group of putti within an arched top and by replacing the two standing female servants with the figure of the startled Joachim. The sheet is a fine example of de' Pietri's broad and painterly technique.