Carlo Maratti

Maratti was the last exponent of the classical tradition of Roman painting. He arrived in Rome in 1636, and in the following year entered the workshop of Andrea Sacchi, where he was trained to draw and copy the great masters, starting with Raphael, whose work was highly influential in the formation of Maratti's style.  This sheet of studies of putti is characteristic of his graphic style, as is the use of red chalk on blue paper.  Although it must have been made as a preparatory study, it does not seem to be related to any known work by the artist.