This work is one of the rare drawings attested in Reggio Emilia since the 19th century, and connected to an important painting by Orsi, now lost. The majority of academics (Brandi; Salvini; Chiodi; Hoffman; De Grazia) consider it as authentic and made in the early period of Lelio Orsi, related to his return from Rome in 1555 (A. Bigi Iotti 2016).