Vier engelen

About this artwork

ets en stippelgravure in rood

Art Historical Context

**Vier Engelen (Four Angels)** *Francesco Bartolozzi, 1786, Etching, 196 × 286 mm* Francesco Bartolozzi, a prolific Italian engraver who flourished in 18th-century London, created *Vier Engelen* as a delicate etching and stipple engraving printed in red ink. Known for his mastery of reproductive prints after old master paintings, Bartolozzi elevated printmaking to fine art status during the Enlightenment era. This work, depicting four ethereal angels, exemplifies his neoclassical elegance, blending religious iconography with the refined tastes of European collectors. The technique shines here: etching provides crisp lines bitten into a metal plate by acid, while stippling—tiny dots meticulously applied—builds soft tonal gradations, ideal for the angels' flowing drapery and luminous forms. The unusual red ink adds warmth and vibrancy, enhancing the celestial theme and making it a standout in period print portfolios. At roughly 8 × 11 inches, it's intimate yet impactful, perfect for scholarly albums. Bartolozzi's innovations in stipple influenced generations, bridging painting and print worlds. Likely produced amid London's booming print trade, *Vier Engelen* reflects 1780s fascination with divine motifs amid secular progress, inviting visitors to ponder its heavenly grace. (198 words)

About the Artist

Francesco Bartolozzi · 1727–1815

Francesco Bartolozzi (1727–1815) was an Italian engraver whose most productive period was spent in London, where he became the leading exponent of stipple engraving and a founding member of the Royal Academy. Born in Florence and trained first as a painter before turning to engraving in Venice, he established his reputation in Rome before being recruited by the English Royal Librarian Richard Dalt...