University of Chicago Library

Guide to the Francesco Bartolozzi Collection 1781-1799

Descriptive Summary

Title:	Bartolozzi, Francesco. Collection
Dates:	1781-1799
Size:	0.25 linear feet (1 box)
Repository:	Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center University of Chicago Library 1100 East 57th Street Chicago, Illinois 60637 U.S.A.
Abstract:	Francesco Bartolozzi (1727-1815) was an Italian engraver, who spend much of his career in London and helped to found the British Royal Academy of the Arts. The collection contains six engravings by Bartolozzi and one letter written by Bartolozzi. .

Information on Use

Access

The collection is open for research.

Citation

When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: Bartolozzi, Francesco Collection, [Box #, Folder #], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.

Biographical Note

Francesco Bartolozzi was born in Florence on September 21, 1727. Bartolozzi demonstrated such skill in designing that he turned from the family trade, gold- and silver-smithing, to become the student of the arts. After a short period of study under two Florentine artists, Ignazio Hugford and Giovanni Domenica Ferretti, Bartolozzi went to Venice to study engraving – the skill from which he carved his fame. After travelling around Italy, Bartolozzi moved to London in 1764, where he remained for almost forty years.

Bartolozzi’s most prolific years were in London. Shortly after his arrival, he was appointed as “Engraver to the King,” as well as being a founding member of the Royal Academy of Arts in 1768. In 1802, Bartolozzi accepted the position of direction of the National Academy in Lisbon.

While in Venice, early in his career, he met and married a woman named Lucia Ferro. Bartolozzi had one child, Geatano Stefano Bartolozzi, born in 1757. Geatano also found some success in engraving, though his fame was quickly eclipsed by that of his daughter, the famous actress and theater manager, Lucia Elizabeth Vestris. Bartolozzi died in Lisbon on March 7, 1815.

Scope Note

The Francesco Bartolozzi Collection contains six engravings dated 1781-1797. All but one has been identified as a Bartolozzi’s work, though the final resembles the others both in subject matter and style. The works are arranged chronologically, except for the unidentified piece. The collection also contains a single letter sent by Bartolozzi to Mr. Dubroveray, dated Jan 12, 1799.

The collection was previously part of the Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection.

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Subject Headings

Bartolozzi, Francesco 1727-1815
Engraving

INVENTORY

Box 1 Folder 1

Engravings, 1781-1797

Poetry, Muse seated holding a lyre and a Pan flute with both hands; a waterfall in the background on the right. Frontspiece to Poetical Works of John Scott, 1781
Muse, Muse seated holding a lyre and a flute; a swan to the left. Illustration to “Beauties of English Poetry,” 1782
History, A woman seating writing on an oval tablet hanging from a tree; beside a her, a little angel seated reading a book, 1792
Cupid and Psyche, Cupid standing on the right, putting a bracelet on Psyche's arm. Illustration to "A Catalogue of One Hundred Impressions from Gems, Engraved by Nathaniel Marchant," by James Edwards, 1792
For the Benefit of Mrs. Banti, Muse seated on clouds holding a lyre with three putti; one holds a trumpet, another two laurel crowns and the third holding a banner over Muse. Created for Brigitta Giorgi Banti (1756 - 1806), 1797
Unknown, Woman seated holding a quill and canvas; above, putto sits with his head in his hands, next to a vase. Date Unknown.

Box 1 Folder 2

Letter from Bartolozzi to Mr. Dubroveray, January 12, 1799