Kind met een horloge Possibly 1795

Francesco Bartolozzi made this print, "Kind met een horloge," using a technique called stipple engraving. The method involves creating a pattern of tiny dots on a copper plate, which when printed, creates an image with soft, delicate tones, much like a chalk or pencil drawing. Bartolozzi was a master of this technique, which was particularly popular for reproducing drawings and paintings. The labor involved in creating these intricate dot patterns was immense, demanding great skill and precision. The fine lines and details we see here are a testament to the engraver's patience and expertise. Prints like this were luxury objects, a reflection of the period's interest in refinement and artistic skill. The image of a child with a watch, an expensive and novel item at the time, also speaks volumes about the emerging importance of time in the eighteenth century. By considering the making and the materials of this print, we see how it bridges the worlds of craft and fine art, offering insight into the social values of its time.