The Virgin Immaculate below the Trinity surrounded by putti and angels

This is the earliest of four studies of the Immaculate Conception, probably related to a lost processional banner commissioned by Prince Camillo Pamphili in 1657-8. The closest in handling is that in a private collection in New York (N. Turner, 'Disegni', Pier Francesco Mola, exhib. cat., Lugano, Museo Cantonale d'Arte and elsewhere, 1989, no. II.29). Two other sketchier drawings were formerly in the Duca Roberto Ferretti Collection (sold at Christie's London, 2 July 1996, lot 60) and in Munich (E. Schleier, 'Pier Francesco Mola e la pittura a Roma', op. cit., p. 63, fig. 5).