Salvator Rosa

Rosa often executed drawings with subjects that are difficult to decipher, some of them apparantly with personal significance, describing with humor and sarcasm the difficulties of artists or his own particular tribulations.  This rather enigmatic sheet may possibly represent a dream. It is not clear what the three figures at the top of the rock are doing, while the kneeling man to the left seems to hold a sheet of paper or a board. An amusing winged creature apparently flies behind the wooden ladder used by the men to climb the very smooth rock. 

It is notable that Rosa signed this drawing with an elaborate monogram, almost making this signature part of the composition.