The grid on this small sheet is similar to that found on three studies for stained glass by Thiry in the Ecole normale supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, suggesting that it is also a design for stained glass or a decorative project. The drawing was lettered "Andrea Boscoli" on the mat by Richardson's mounter, who may have seen the name Boscoli inscribed and attached it to the forename Andrea. According to Janos Scholz, "This is definitely a sculptors drawing, probably by Tommaso di Pietro (Maso del Bosco), who worked with Ferrucci and Michelangelo on the Julius tomb." Berenice Davidson, however, was the first to propose that the sheet was actually by the French artist Thiry and associated with his work on stained glass.
Inscribed on mount, just beneath the drawing, in pen and brown ink, "Andrea Boscoli"; on verso of mount, in pen and brown ink, Richardson's pressmarks, "D. 61. / Zl. 58 / Zn. 28. / K."; at lower left, in pen and brown ink, "Florentine died in 1606"; in lower right corner, partially cropped, "[...] / L. 25"; at right center, in red ink, "L. 49".
Watermark: none visible through lining.
Boscoli, Tommaso di Pietro, 1503-1574, Formerly attributed to.
Boscoli, Andrea, Formerly attributed to.
Richardson, Jonathan, 1665-1745, former owner.
Scholz, János, former owner.