The Descent from the Cross

The signature blue and gold mount of this drawing indicates it was owned by the French collector and connoisseur Pierre-Jean Mariette (1694–1774), who also attributed this composition to Burrini in the elegant inscription on the cartouche. According to Mariette's Abécédario Pittorico (Paris, 1851-1853, vol. 1, p . 236), the Metropolitan Museum of Art's drawing was part of a series of twelve studies for paintings on copper executed by Burrini for the "Count C.P.A.," later identified as Pirro (or Pietro) Capacelli Albergati (Bologna 1663-1735 Bologna). In addition to the present drawing, Mariette's group of four included a Birth of the Virgin, now in the Musée du Louvre, Paris (inv. 7067), an Adoration of the Shepherds, and a Presentation in the Temple, both now in the Hessisches Landesmuseum, Darmstadt (AE 1252 and AE 1253, respectively).
(Furio Rinaldi)