Sincerity - Francesco Bartolozzi

A refined stipple engraving from 1781 by Francesco Bartolozzi, based on a design by Angelica Kauffman, depicting an allegorical portrait of Sincerity.

Sincerity is a stipple engraving executed by Francesco Bartolozzi in 1781. The work is based on an original design by the Swiss-born painter Angelica Kauffman, whose collaboration with Bartolozzi was a defining feature of the London art market during the late eighteenth century. The print depicts a young woman in profile, captured within a delicate oval frame. Her expression is composed, and her posture suggests a quiet, reflective state.

Bartolozzi was a master of the stipple engraving technique, which uses small dots rather than lines to create tonal variations. This method allowed for the soft, painterly quality visible in the subject's skin and the folds of her garment. The texture of the paper and the subtle gradation of the stippled background provide a sense of volume and depth without the harshness of traditional cross-hatching.

This print reflects the Neoclassical interest in allegory and the idealised human form. By personifying a virtue such as Sincerity, the work aligns with the period's preference for moralising subjects presented through classical aesthetics. The inscription at the base indicates it was published by W. Palmer at 159 Strand, London, which was a common practice for disseminating high-quality prints to a growing middle-class audience. The collaboration between Kauffman and Bartolozzi was highly successful, as it combined Kauffman's graceful compositions with Bartolozzi's technical precision. This specific piece remains a clear example of the refined printmaking culture that flourished in Britain during the late Georgian era, where such works were often collected for private portfolios or framed for domestic display.