Luca Cambiaso was a pioneer in the development of the theme of the Holy Family in a domestic context. The drawing may be compared with other drawings of the Holy Family in the carpenter's shop, one at Chatsworth, and another formerly there, sold in these Rooms, 3 July 1984, lot 4, and also The First Steps of the Infant Christ in a German private collection, B. Suida Manning, Luca Cambiaso, la vita e la opere, Milan, 1958, figs. 217, 219 and 220-3