Francesco Bartolozzi

Francesco Bartolozzi (1727–1815) was an Italian engraver known for popularizing the 'crayon' engraving method. Born in Florence, he initially studied painting in Venice before becoming an engraver for Josef Wagner. His reputation grew in Rome, leading to an invitation from Richard Dalton to work in England as the King's engraver in 1764. Bartolozzi, a Royal Academy Founder Member, collaborated with artists like Kauffman and Reynolds. Renowned for his stipple technique using dots instead of lines, he favored colourful inks. Despite invitations to work in Europe, he moved to Lisbon in 1802, aiming to reform the royal press but delegated tasks due to age. Facing financial struggles, he died in 1815 at 87, buried in Lisbon.