Monk's Head
Medium
Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Bequest of George Campbell Cooper
Accession Number
1896-3-305
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Francesco Bartolozzi, Italian artist who became a leading figure in English printmaking after moving to London in 1764, created "Monk's Head" in 1796. Renowned for his innovative stipple engraving technique, Bartolozzi specialized in delicate tonal effects that captured the soft textures of skin, fabric, and expression with remarkable subtlety. His prints often reproduced works by other masters, helping to popularize art across wider audiences during the late Enlightenment era. This work, classified simply as a print and now held in the Smithsonian American Art Museum, reflects the period's g...