Two Putti Covering a Cartouche on the Base of a Pediment with a Tapestry Showing a Man Playing a Lute in a Landscape Setting c. 1621

This pen and brown ink drawing by Italian artist Guercino, created around 1621, depicts two putti, or cherubic figures, playfully uncovering a cartouche on the base of a pediment. The cartouche reveals a tapestry depicting a man playing a lute in a landscape setting. The drawing demonstrates Guercino's masterful use of line and shading, creating a sense of depth and movement in the figures and drapery. This work is an excellent example of the artist's skill in capturing the charm and playful nature of putti, a popular motif in Italian Renaissance and Baroque art.