Souls in Purgatory Supplicating the Madonna of Loreto

This sketch represents angels revealing to some agitated souls in purgatory the votive image of the Madonna of Loreto, the wooden sculpture of the Virgin and Child adorned by the faithful with rich clothing and jewels, as well as a papal tiara, which is part of a miraculous shrine found in the Marche region of Italy. A related drawing of this composition is in the Albertina in Vienna. It is not certain for which painting the two studies were intended.