The Archangel Michael appearing to Hagar and Ishmael in the wildnerness

A pupil of Jacopo Vignali, Montini was probably inspired by his master's depictions of the subject, one of which is in a private collection (P. Bigongiari, Il Seicento Fiorentino, Florence, 1982, pl. VI). Another, up-right, Hagar and the Angel by Vignola of a similar composition was sold at Christie's, New York, 22 May 1999, lot 152 ($240,000).

We are grateful to Doctor Francesca Baldassari for the attribution, having examined the picture in person.