Monument to Johann Christian Bach

Art Historical Context

In the Prints gallery of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the *Monument to Johann Christian Bach* stands as a poignant tribute to the celebrated composer, the youngest son of Johann Sebastian Bach. Created just months after Bach's death on January 1, 1782, this etching and engraving captures a sculptural monument likely designed by Agostino Carlini, a prominent English sculptor of Italian origin. Francesco Bartolozzi, a master engraver renowned for his delicate stipple technique, translated the design into print, with Johann Christian Bach himself possibly involved in the conception. Dated March 10, 1782, it reflects the swift outpouring of grief from London's vibrant musical circles, where the "London Bach" had thrived as a composer, performer, and opera director. This fourth and final state of the print showcases the refined collaboration of etching—known for its fluid lines—and engraving, which adds precise detail and tonal depth. Measuring 13 3/4 × 8 7/8 inches on the plate, it exemplifies 18th-century reproductive printmaking, making grand sculptural memorials accessible to a wider audience. Acquired through the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund in 1917, the work highlights the era's fusion of music, neoclassical sculpture, and print artistry, immortalizing Bach's legacy as a bridge between Baroque traditions and emerging Classical styles—a influence echoed in Mozart's early works. Visitors will appreciate its elegant lines evoking eternal harmony.

About the Artist

Francesco Bartolozzi|Agostino Carlini|Agostino Carlini|Johann Christian Bach · 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...