H. Banbury (after)
Francesco Bartolozzi (engraver) (1727-1815)
Love and Honour
W. Dickinson No. 158 Bond Street, London: Jan 23rd 1785
Black and white stipple engraving
17 1/2 x 15 inches
$750

Love and Honor
"Hark may heaven defend thee,
Hark! The drawn commands,
Honor I attend thee,
Love I kiss thy hands.


May Guardian Angels watch thee,
And conquest on thee wait;
One kiss and then I give thee up,
_____ alas poor Kate."

Bartolozzi was an engraver, etcher and painter born in Florence, Italy. He was trained in the Florentine Academy and apprenticed to a Venetian engraver. In 1764, King George III's librarian brought him to England, where he was appointed Engraver to the King and later held the title of Royal Academician. A prolific engraver, he developed a stipple method invented in France, and his work was admired for its subtle modulations of light and shade and his sensitive and graceful portrayal of the human form. Engravings were the means of creating reproductions of fine art in the pre-photographic age, and Bartolozzi was considered one of the best. Prominent artists such as Sir Joshua Reynolds praised his work. He spent the last 13 years of his life working and teaching in Lisbon, where he was knighted.

Condition: Generally very good with the usual light toning, soiling, foxing, soft creases.

Reference:

"Francesco Bartolezzi," Catholic Encyclopedia, http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02319a.htm