A battle scene outside a walled city

Developed in a semi-circular format, clearly marked by two curved parallel lines, this lively battle scene by the Florentine draughtsman and sculptor Foggini constitutes the right section of a larger design, of which the left half is preserved in the Witt Collection at the Courtauld Gallery, London (inv. D.1952.RW.3586). Nearly the same size, the Courtauld drawing is similarly annotated 'Foggini'. Kira d'Alburquerque, whom we thank for identifying the present design, argues that both sheets could be dated to Foggini's sojourn in Rome (1673-1676) or, alternatively, could possibly be linked to a commission for designs for silver plates he received from Grand Duke Cosimo III de' Medici, at the time when the artist was heading the local manufactory, or Galleria del Lavori, from 1695.