Francesco Bartolozzi, Dressing for the Masquerade, Late 18th Century, Engraving, Framed for sale at Pamono

Description

Very nice engraving “dressing for the masquerade” by Francesco Bartolozzi after the painting by George Morland. It represents 3 characters in a rural interior. A woman is putting on some nice clothes while someone seems to help her, while having a conversation with a seated man. A dog observes the scene from his chair. It was engraved by Francesco Bartolozzi, Italian engraver, son of goldsmith, born in 1727 and died in 1815. He studied 3 years after the painter Domenico Ferretti, then, he will understand that he is not made for the painting and that it is the engraving that attracts him more. He will therefore leave for Venice to perfect his art. For 6 years, from 1745 to 1751, he worked in the workshop of Joseph Wagner (German engraver). About ten years later, he was invited to London by the art dealer and bookseller to the king, Richard Dalton. In will settle there and will be engraver of the king George 3. He developed the new technique of “red chalk”. He was also a founding member of the Royal Academy and co-founder of the Society of Engravers. This engraving is inspired by a painting by George Morland, English painter and engraver (1763-1804). He studied with his father and exhibited his first drawings at the Royal Academy at only 10 years old. He attended the academic school and even refused an apprenticeship with Romney (a famous English painter). He will find his style only in the past 1790’s and will begin the realization of large canvases. He will have a tragic end of life, just like his life in general, mixed with water of life and despair. To his credit, he realized more than a thousand paintings and is very famous in all Europe.
Dimensions of the engraving:
Height : 41 cm – 16.14 inches
Width : 31.5 cm – 12.20 inches