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PELAGIO PALAGI (Bologna 1775 - Turin 1860) THE VIRGIN AND CHILD
Black chalk, 244 x 192 mm. Another very similar version of the subject, in reverse (I suspect it could be a counterproof from our drawing), is in the 'Fondo Palagi' at the Biblioteca dell'Archiginnasio, Bologna. See: C. Poppi, 'l'ombra di Core - Disegni del fondo Palagi della Biblioteca dell'Archiginnasio', Casalecchio di Reno 1989; p. 143, no. 108, illustrated (dated c. 1845-50).

Architect, portrait painter, furniture designer and collector, Pelagio Palagi at the age of twenty was collaborating with Antonio Basoli, in Bologna. With Felice Giani he frequented the nocturnal drawing sessions at the house of the engraver Francesco Rosaspina. In 1802 he studied at the Bolognese Accademia. Pelagio Palagi moved to Rome in 1806, continuing his studies at the Accademia di San Luca under Camuccini. In 1815 he moved to Milan, where he remained until 1832. There, he established a private school of painting and architecture and was elected to the Brera Academy. Palagi was called to Turin in 1832 by King Carlo Alberto to direct the decoration of the royal residences. At the monarch's death he worked for his son, Vittorio Emanuele II.