'St. Cecilia' 1774

Francesco Bartolozzi created this print of Saint Cecilia in the late 18th century. It presents the patron saint of music, not with her traditional organ, but gazing upwards, perhaps listening to the heavenly music she's known for. Made in London, this work reflects Britain's fascination with Italian art and culture during the Enlightenment. Bartolozzi, an Italian engraver working in England, was pivotal in disseminating Neoclassical aesthetics, characterized by its emphasis on clarity, order, and a return to classical forms. His work, often reproduced and widely circulated, played a significant role in shaping public taste and promoting the values of reason and refinement associated with the Enlightenment. Studying Bartolozzi's career illuminates the institutional structures of the art world at the time. Engravers like him facilitated the art market, reproducing paintings and drawings for a growing audience. By examining these prints, along with related documents, we can understand the social conditions that shaped artistic production and consumption in this era.