The Deposition

This is one of three modelli or ricordi, which relate to Pittoni's altarpiece of c. 1750, in the Duomo of Manerbio (F. Zava Boccazzi, Pittoni, Venice, 1979, no. 102, fig. 462). There are numerous small changes in the three canvases, which are all of approximately the same size. The modello in a private collection in Florence is painted en grisaille and depicts lances and the banner of an army in the background (Zava Boccazzi, op. cit., no. 62, fig. 464). The version in the Lechi collection in Brescia shows the angel on the right almost entirely hidden by a cloud, whereas in the present picture, the upper half of his body is visible (Zava Boccazzi, op. cit., no. 30, fig. 463). This picture's brush work is freer with less detail than the other versions.
The picture is sold with a certificate from Professor Zava Boccazzi, dated 20 August 1995.