Presentation of the Virgin Mary at the Temple - Giovanni David

David's biographer Alizeri recalls that the eccentric artist liked to enrich his inventions with surprising effects of perspective and light, as in the drawings shown here.

"But in architectural elements, such as escapes from columns, staircases or vestibules, glimpses of mezzanines or the decay of buildings, he also put a singular affectation, to the point of sometimes forgetting the main teachings. Among the drawings I have seen on paper, there are few that do not have, either as part of the subject, or traced in pen on the back or in the margin, some essay of this talent."

Alizeri then describes a specific type of drawing, a prelude to pictorial execution.

"These papers he shaded with soot, strongly and resolutely: his talent applied to masses and rapid effects, rather than to outlines or any other element of art. Sometimes he varied them in light colors, when his main intention was to execute them on canvas: then he took care of the lines, decided on the tones, studied the expressions, like a man who wanted to be sure of his effect."