Four Putti Carrying a Fruit Basket

Although the Tietzes attributed the present drawing to Domenico’s workshop, the sheet is likely autograph. It is very closely related to four drawings of putti, which formerly belonged to Peter Lely and are now in the collection of the Dukes of Devonshire, Chatsworth (inv. 248-51; Jaffé 1994(d), nos. 765, 768-770). The series – also traditionally attributed to Domenico – was perhaps intended for the Erotes of Philostratus. In addition, Saccomani (1980, 108, no. 2) attributed another Peter Lely drawing in the Devonshire collection – Putti carrying a basket of astronomical instruments, in red chalk on white paper – to Domenico, a suggestion not taken up by Jaffé, who gives the it to Antonio Campi instead.