Study for Jacob Blessing the Sons of Joseph (recto); Sketches: Saint Christopher; Two Figures in Conversation over Money (verso)

This is the earliest known study for a commission that Guercino was given in 1620 by Cardinal Jacopo Serra, Legate of Ferrara. The forceful, naturalistic drawing captures the moment of the Old Testament story in which Joseph attempts to guide the blessing arm of the nearly blind Jacob away from his younger son Ephraim to the head of his first-born, Manasse.