Putti with a Small Keyboard Instrument and Music Books 1597 - 1630

This pen and brown ink drawing, "Putti with a Small Keyboard Instrument and Music Books," by Italian artist Daniele Crespi (1597-1630) is a charming depiction of three cherubs engaged in musical activities. The cherubs, or putti, are depicted in a playful and dynamic manner, suggesting a moment of youthful energy and enjoyment. Crespi’s drawing is a study for a larger composition, possibly a fresco or a painting, highlighting his skill in depicting movement and gesture. The detailed rendering of the cherubs' features and the instruments they hold reveals Crespi’s keen observation and his mastery of the art of drawing.