John Gere tentatively dated the present drawing to the pontificate of Julius III (1550-5), identifying the objects held by the central and right groups of putti on the verso as Julian devices: the triple monticule and the wreath.
Gere also noted that Zuccaro was, during this period, working closely with Tibaldi in Rome, and that a decoration realized by the latter for the Vatican Belvedere shows a similar setting with the putti holding the same devices.