Bartolozzi, Francesco (1727–1815)

Italian engraver. He popularized stipple engraving, introducing colour and softness into the medium. He worked for a while in Rome but settled in England 1764 under the patronage of George III, becoming head of a school of stipple engravers.

Bartolozzi was born in Florence and studied engraving in Venice, but spent most of his career in England, where he was an original member of the Royal Academy. In 1802 he went to Portugal, becoming director of the National Academy of Portugal in Lisbon, where he died.