Royal Collection Trust conservators made a wonderful discovery when examining this pastel by the Venetian artist Rosalba Carriera. Carriera had an unusual habit of including prints of the Three Kings – who brought gifts to the baby Jesus – inside her pastels, a secret way of seeking their protection! Like St Christopher, the Three Kings are patron saints of pilgrims and travellers. This little print was found tucked inside the back of the pastel, and had not been seen since Carriera made the work in 1726. Pastels are very fragile, and so the artist must have included the print because she was concerned about her works travelling safely.