Lorenzo Pasinelli painted this refined and characteristic composition of two putti in monochrome oil; a technique which played an important role in the artist's creative process and working methods. His monochromes were initially conceived as an intermediary stage in the creation of finished paintings, but as collectors and patrons became interested in these studies, Pasinelli recognized their great commercial potential. It is thus highly possible that our sheet was not intended as a preparatory sketch but as a particularly attractive work for collectors.
Pasinelli studied in his native Bologna under Simone Cantarini, one of Guido Reni’s most talented pupils. Cantarini had developed a more fluid, free manner in his later career, and his light brushwork would influence Pasinelli’s own expressive style. After Cantarini died in 1648, Pasinelli worked for three years under Flaminio Torri before setting out alone, establishing his own successful workshop as one of Bologna’s leading masters. He subsequently worked in Mantua and Rome, and received prestigious international commissions from Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor (1640-1705) and Hans-Adam I, Prince of Liechtenstein (1662-1712) among others.
We are grateful to Prof. Daniele Benati for confirming the attribution to Lorenzo Pasinelli based on high resolution images.