Two Children Back to Back c. 18th century

Curator: Francesco Bartolozzi created this piece, “Two Children Back to Back.” Editor: Ah, I love the feel of this. There’s a lightness, an airy quality to the sketch, almost dreamlike. Curator: Bartolozzi, an Italian engraver who lived from 1728 to 1815, was known for his stipple engraving technique which gave his prints a soft, chalky appearance. Notice how the bodies are rendered. Editor: Yes, it's as if they're emerging from the paper itself, or fading back into it. There's a sense of transience here, of childhood being fleeting, or perhaps innocence lost. Curator: The positioning, back to back, might symbolize the children's individual journeys or maybe even opposing natures. Editor: It really stirs something, doesn't it? A tender look at childhood, seen through the lens of memory, a little bittersweet. Curator: Precisely. And understanding Bartolozzi’s methods gives another layer of appreciation. Editor: Absolutely. It’s remarkable how technique and symbolism blend to evoke such feeling.