Epitaaf met portret van Johann Christian Bach

About this artwork

verzamelaarsmerk, verso, gestempeld: Lugt 2760

Art Historical Context

**Epitaaf met port van Johann Christian Bach**Epitaph with Portrait of Christian Bach), etched by Francesco Bartolozzi 1791, honors the "London Bach," youngest son of Johann Sebastian Bach and a celebrated composer of the Classical era. Known for his operas and symphonies that bridged Baroque and Classical styles, Johann Christian Bach died in 2, leaving a lasting influence on Mozart. This poignant print, dated precisely March 10, 1791, serves as a epitaph, blending portraiture with funerary tribute—a fitting nod to his legacy in London's vibrant musical scene. Bartolozzi, a masterful Italian engraver who worked extensively in England, excelled in etching, a technique where acid etches intricate lines into a metal plate for richly toned prints. Measuring 344 × 224 mm, this work exemplifies his precision and tonal subtlety, capturing the subject's dignified features amid symbolic epitaph elements. The verso bears a collector's mark (Lugt 2760), hinting at its esteemed provenance among art connoisseurs. As a cultural artifact, it bridges music history and printmaking, reflecting 18th-century London's fascination with celebrity composers. Visitors will appreciate how Bartolozzi's etching preserves Bach's image, inviting reflection on artistry's enduring power to commemorate genius.

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...