A contemporary and follower of Correggio, Gatti is a rare artist and his style as a draftsman has only recently been defined. This is the first drawing by him to enter the Morgan collection. It shows the artist developing a composition of the Virgin, the Christ Child on her lap, and the Infant Saint John the Baptist. Subsidiary studies at the lower left and right prepare the Virgin's left hand that supports the Christ Child. A pentiment in the Christ Child's face shows that initially the head was placed further to the left; the final solution is repeated in the study below. The purpose of the drawing remains unknown. However, the Correggesque facial types may also be seen in a mother and child depicted in a fresco by Gatti, The Feeding of the Five Thousand, in the refectory of San Pietro al Po, Cremona (1552). The attribution to Gatti was confirmed by both David Ekserdjian and Giulo Bora according to the Christie's 2004 sale catalogue.
Zuccaro, Federico, approximately 1540-1609, former owner.
Wellesley, Henry, 1791-1866, former owner.