Two Kneeling and Two Standing Figures 1690 - 1758

This drawing, *Two Kneeling and Two Standing Figures*, by Nicola Maria Rossi depicts four figures in a variety of poses. The figures are drawn in a dynamic and expressive style, with flowing lines and carefully rendered drapery. This is a typical example of a preparatory study for a larger work, a common practice among artists of the 17th and 18th centuries. It was created sometime between 1690, when Rossi was born, and 1758, when he died. Now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the artwork provides a glimpse into the creative process of a prominent artist of the Baroque period.