The First Lesson
ca. 1775â1800
Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Bequest of George Campbell Cooper
Accession Number
1896-3-311
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Francesco Bartolozzi, an Italian engraver who spent much of his career in England, created *The First Lesson* during the final decades of the eighteenth century. Known for his refined technique and ability to translate paintings into widely accessible prints, Bartolozzi helped popularize stipple engraving across Britain. This work, produced between roughly 1775 and 1800, reflects the period’s growing interest in domestic scenes and moral instruction, themes that resonated with audiences seeking both beauty and edification in their homes. As a print, *The First Lesson* belongs to a medium that...