La Sigra Rosalba - Francesco Bartolozzi

A fine stipple engraving by Francesco Bartolozzi from 1778, depicting the Venetian artist Rosalba Carriera in a delicate, tonal portrait.

This stipple engraving by Francesco Bartolozzi depicts the Venetian artist Rosalba Carriera. Bartolozzi, an Italian engraver who spent much of his career in London, was a master of the stipple technique. This method uses dots of varying density to create tonal gradations, resulting in a soft, painterly effect that mimics the appearance of chalk drawings. The print is based on an original painting held by J. Walker at the time of publication in 1778.

Rosalba Carriera is shown in a half-length pose, framed within an oval. She wears a hooded garment and holds a fan, her expression calm and composed. The delicate handling of the stipple dots allows for subtle transitions in light across her face and the folds of her clothing. The text below the image identifies the subject and provides the publication details, noting that it was published in London on 7 January 1778.

Bartolozzi was instrumental in popularising stipple engraving in Britain. His ability to translate the nuances of oil or pastel originals into monochrome prints made him a sought-after collaborator for many contemporary painters. This work demonstrates his technical precision and his contribution to the print culture of the late eighteenth century. The composition remains balanced, focusing on the sitter while maintaining a sense of period elegance. The print serves as a record of both the subject and the technical skill of the engraver, capturing the aesthetic preferences of the era through its refined execution.