Sketches after Various Paintings, including the Visitation n.d.

"Sketches after Various Paintings, including the Visitation," is a brown wash drawing on paper created by a follower of Francesco Monti, an Italian painter active in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The drawing captures a moment of intense emotion, likely depicting a scene from the Visitation, a biblical story of the Virgin Mary visiting her cousin Elizabeth. This preliminary study, now housed in the Art Institute of Chicago, showcases the artist's meticulous attention to detail and masterful use of light and shadow. The drawing offers valuable insight into the artistic process, as it reveals the preliminary steps involved in creating a larger, more finished painting.