Lot Essay
The present composition is known through several autograph replicas, of varying quality, of a subject first treated by the artist after his return from Turin in 1743-4. Amongst the better versions is the picture in a private collection, Rome (see catalogue for the exhibition Civilt del '700 a Napoli, Naples, Dec. 1979-Oct. 1980, p.198-9, no. 92b illustrated) and the larger picture (238 x 338cm.) dating from the 1750's, in the Pinacoteca del Castello Sforzesco, Milano.