Joshua at the gates of Jericho

The fortress of Jericho was destroyed by Joshua's army at the blow of its powerful seven horns (Joshua 6: 1-27). Gimignani developed this frieze-like composition in his typically energetic pen style, a direct legacy of his fascination with Nicolas Poussin and Pietro da Cortona (the drawing was previously attributed to the latter). Framed by the artist and numbered with measurements at the bottom, this working drawing was made in preparation for horizontal fresco featuring the same subject which is recorded by Ursula Fischer Pace in the collection of Luciano Manzi, Rome. We are grateful to Jörg Martin Merz and to Ursula Fischer Pace for confirming the attribution.