~ 18th Century Mezzotint By King’s Engraver Francesco Bartolozzi (In Original Frame) ~
This is a charming circular print from the late 1700’s mounted in its original plaster frame.
At the bottom of the circular mount, is a small cut-out that reveals the engraver’s name.
The piece has been printed with an ink described by some as sepia, though we’d say it was closer redder, cochineal hues than that. The aging of the paper definitely lends to an impression of warmth, which is fitting for the gentle character of the subject.
Drawn by Bartolozzi from a painting by another artist, this image was then stippled upon an engraver’s plate in a fashion that was called the “crayon style” due to the way it appeared similar to rubbings of chalk, eventually the plate would be inked and run through a press with the paper substrate.
Whilst Bartolozzi didn’t actually invent this style (as has been previously stated by some) he did develop its popularity with his impressively wide audience of wealthy admirers and collectors.
~ Francesco Bartolozzi (Florence, 21 September 1727 – 7 March 1815, Lisbon) ~
Francesco Bartolozzi RA was an Italian engraver, whose most productive period was spent in London where, he was quickly appointed ‘Engraver to the King’ with an annual salary of £300.
He was elected a founding member of the Royal Academy in 1768, and in 1802 became the founding President of the short-lived Society of Engravers.
~ Dimensions ~
The frame is 17 and a half inches in diameter (45 cm) and 1 and a half inches deep (4 cm).
It weighs 1.48 Kg.
~ Condition ~
For its age, the piece is in great condition.
The glass has no scratches and the plaster bears no serious cracks beyond slight cosmetic ones.
There is, however, a dusting of decayed plaster that has found its way between the mount and the glass (pictured).
This we believe would be pretty easy to tidy up by a picture framer without requiring any specialist restoration.
ML