Virgin and Child on Clouds with Kneeling Male Saint (recto); Sketch of Two Female Figures (verso) n.d.

This anonymous drawing depicts the Virgin Mary and Christ Child surrounded by cherubs and a kneeling male saint. The figures are rendered in a delicate, almost ethereal style, using brown ink washes on paper. The piece, likely a preparatory sketch for a larger composition, demonstrates the artist's skill in capturing the divine and conveying a sense of spiritual awe. Though the artist's identity remains unknown, the drawing showcases the influence of Baroque art and the emphasis on dynamism and emotional expression characteristic of the era. The presence of the male saint, likely a specific patron, adds a personalized element to the composition. This drawing, now residing in the Art Institute of Chicago, offers a glimpse into the creative process behind a lost masterpiece.