Follower of Francesco Albani Bologna 1578 - 1660

The present composition is inspired by Albani's famous painting on copper of the same subject, described by Malvasia in 1678 in the Barberini collection as, "the most awesome copper panel of the Madonna who washes linens that St. Joseph gives to the angels to hang up to dry on the tree branches; the Blessed Virgin just under life-size, St. Joseph on the right and two angels' heads on the left."  Albani's copper was engraved by several French artists in the late seventeenth century including an engraving by G. Chasteau (1639- 83) and G. Vallet (1632 - 1604).