* Francesco Fontebasso Venice 1707 - 1769

The strong hatchings and cross-hatchings in this drawing are typical of many of Fontebasso's pen studies, and reflect the influence of his master, Sebastiano Ricci, as well as that of the Bolognese artist, Donato Creti.  Both of the characters seen here appear in Fontebasso's paintings, and their secular bearing and position suggest a di sotto in su palace decoration in fresco.  They could represent an idea for a couple in a lunette or niche at the lower edge of a ceiling design or a couple in the central vault looking over a fictive ledge or balustrade.

Marina Magrini has confirmed the attribution.