Holy Family with Two Angels 1609 - 1610

"Holy Family with Two Angels" is a drawing by Francesco Albani, an Italian artist, dated 1609-1610, and currently held in the collection of The Art Institute of Chicago. This drawing, made with pen and brown ink, is a study for a larger composition. The artist has focused on the figures, particularly the Virgin Mary holding the Christ child, and the two angels, while sketching the rest of the scene in a more abbreviated fashion. Albani's drawing style is refined and graceful, capturing the delicate beauty of the figures and the serene atmosphere of the scene. This preparatory drawing offers an intimate glimpse into the creative process of one of the leading artists of the Bolognese school of the early 17th century.