Francesco Bartolozzi (1727-1815) 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 and his pupils nicknamed him "the god of drawing." He spent the last 13 years of his life working and teaching in Lisbon, where he was knighted.

Reference:

Hunt, Leigh. "Francesco Bartolozzi." The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume II. Robert Appleton Company: 1907. Online Edition Kevin Knight: 1999. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02319a.htm (27 August 2002).