The Presentation in the Temple; and The Nativity

These two exquisite, rediscovered panels are early works by Donato Creti, one of the key exponents of eighteenth century Bolognese painting. In their rapid and free execution, they show the skill that made him such a prolific and talented draughtsman. He satisfied numerous commissions from prominent European patrons despite never spending significant time away from Bologna. The panels form part of a series representing the Mystery of the Rosary, for a lost altarpiece showing the Madonna of the Rosary with Saint Dominic. Three panels, showing The Way to Calvary, Crucifixion, and Transfiguration, were recently discovered and acquired by the Musei Civici d’Arte Antica in Bologna. There are a further two, showing the Annunciation and Visitation, in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, where they are incorrectly ascribed to Lorenzo Pasinelli. Another, a Flagellation, was recently on the Italian art market. The whereabouts of the remaining panels is unknown.