Two Angels and Cherubs Bearing an Icon of Christ, c. 1670-1680. Probably by Paolo Naldini (Italian, 1616-1691). Terracotta; overall: 41.9 x 41.9 x 15.3 cm (16 1/2 x 16 1/2 x 6 in.). This work is probably a study for a large altarpiece that would have combined several materials, including marble, stucco, and paint. The artist modeled his design in soft clay, which was then hardened by firing; subtle tints suggest the richness of the finished work. The idea of using sculptural figures to support a painted image within an altarpiece was influenced by the work of the Roman sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598-1680), with whom Naldini is known to have worked.