Portrait of the Engraver Francesco Bartolozzi 1797

Jacques Bouillard

* 1744 † 1806 in Paris

Engraving after Pierre Violet. 38.3 x 27.1 cm.

Literature:  not in Le Blanc; I.F.F. 18 (I./II.).

A fine proof impression of the first state, before the text ‘Francesco Bartolozzi …..’, and before enforcement of the engraved address of the editor ‘Published 1st July 1797, by I. Bouillard, London’.

Pierre Violet established himself as a renowned portrait painter at the court of Louis XVI, and fled to England during the French Revolution.Upon arriving in London, the already famous engraver Francesco Bartolozzi introduced him to he local art scene. Together, they quickly developed a working relationship, as Bartolozzi had tried miniature portraits as a young men, and Violet had practiced etching as an art student. A friendship developed, attested also by this portrait.

Our engraving of 1797, is based on a watercolour portrait made by Violet 1, showing a 73 years old Bartolozzi. Three years earlier, Violet had made another portrait of his friend in gouache and on ivory 2. This miniature portrait offers a more intimate and touching vision of the ageing artist friend. Bartolozzi himself made several engravings after Violet’s drawings, and introduced him to the Prince of Wales, of whom he made a miniature portrait, which was then engraved by Bartolozzi 3.

Bartolozzi is renowned as one of the most talented engravers of his time. Born and trained in Italy, he was offered a contract to work in England as Royal Engraver in 1764.  After a long career in London, he became the director of the National Academy in Lisboa in 1802. Although nearly eighty years old, he accepted the new position and remained active until the end of his life.

1. Now in the Albertina in Vienna, illustrated in the catalogue Die Englische Schule, 1992, p. 90.

2. Paris, private collection .

3. George IV alors prince de Galles (1762-1830), miniature by Violet (HMS collection ; Walker, 1992, n° 397 repr.

Price on request

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