Monument to Johann Christian Bach 1782

Francesco Bartolozzi created this engraving, "Monument to Johann Christian Bach," now at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work is rendered in delicate lines of sepia ink, giving it a tonal uniformity. The overall impression is one of serene monumentality. The composition is vertically oriented, dominated by a multi-tiered pedestal. On its top, we see allegorical figures of a woman and a cherub, flanking a portrait of Bach. Above, the structure culminates in organ pipes surmounted by a radiant sun. The lines are precise yet soft, creating a sense of idealized form. The pedestal's inscription acts as a semiotic anchor, grounding the image in historical fact while elevating Bach to a realm of eternal artistry. Bartolozzi uses the visual language of Neoclassicism, seen in the balanced forms, restrained emotion, and clear lines. This aesthetic approach suggests a world governed by reason and order. The engraving challenges fixed meanings by merging the earthly and the divine, questioning where Bach's legacy truly resides.