Hagar Consoled by an Angel (from a painting by Castiglione) and Three Heads of Old Men (from a painting by Ricci of Jesus and the Adultress)

Executed as a counterproof etching, the image was first printed from a copper plate and then reworked with brown wash, giving the surface a soft tonal depth. The lines are loose, with rapid hatching that conveys movement and emotion. The sketch‑like quality reflects an 18th‑century interest in preparatory studies, emphasizing expressive gesture over precise detail.

The print bears the name of Saint‑Non, an abbé known for producing reproductions of contemporary paintings for scholarly circulation. It was likely intended for private study or distribution among collectors interested in the works of Castiglione and Ricci. No specific ownership record precedes its appearance in 19th‑century catalogues, and it now resides in a museum collection dedicated to graphic arts.

Emerging in the late Enlightenment, the work illustrates the period’s shift toward emotional resonance in religious imagery, moving away from strict academic conventions. By merging two separate narrative scenes, Saint‑Non engages with the era’s fascination with compositional experimentation and the didactic potential of prints as tools for disseminating artistic ideas across Europe.