Adoration of the Christ Child, with Saints Joseph, Francis of Assisi, and Augustine, attended by Anton Galeazzo Bentivoglio and Alessandro Bentivoglio c. 1820

This preparatory drawing by Francesco Francia, "Adoration of the Christ Child, with Saints Joseph, Francis of Assisi, and Augustine, attended by Anton Galeazzo Bentivoglio and Alessandro Bentivoglio," depicts a scene of the Adoration of the Christ Child. The drawing, executed in pen and ink, showcases Francia's delicate and precise line work, capturing the details of the figures and their poses. Notably, the drawing is a study for a larger painting commissioned by the Bentivoglio family. The delicate composition and the focus on the figures' expressions highlight Francia's mastery of the High Renaissance style, characterized by its emphasis on naturalism and harmonious balance. The drawing, housed at The Art Institute of Chicago, offers a fascinating glimpse into the creative process of a prominent Italian painter.