Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, called il Guercino (Cento 1591-1666 Bologna) A small child seated on a stone step with his head inclined and resting his elbow on a ledgeGiovanni Francesco Barbieri, called il Guercino (Cento 1591-1666 Bologna)A small child seated on a stone step with his head inclined and resting his elbow on a ledgered chalk on laid paper, watermark a bird atop three mounds 23.4 x 19.6cm (9 3/16 x 7 11/16in).ProvenanceProbably from an album of drawings by Guercino, purchased in Bologna Private Collection, UK, since 1950sOn the back, now scarcely legible, is written in pencil: 'By Guercino (c. 1627 – 30). According to Mr Denis Mahon, expert on the master, this is one of an album of drawings by the artist bought directly from his (illegible) at the house of Guercino, Bologna. In the album I bought were several original red chalks from which "squeezes" had been taken, several of which Mr Mahon says are in the collection at Windsor'.We are grateful to Prof. David M. Stone for confirming the authenticity of this drawing on the basis of a photograph.