Bartolo^^i and his Works.

" While pursuing his studies at his native city, he (Bartolozzi) was invited to England by Mr. Dalton, who was at
that time employed by his present Majesty to collect drawings in the Italian states and discover the best historical en-
graver. Mr. Bartolozzi was thus solicited in consequence of a violent dispute which had previously taken place between
the late Lord Bute and Sir Robert Strange, relative to the engraving of two portraits of the King and Lord Bute from
paintings by Ramsay, which he was requested to perform, but eluded the request in pursuance of a resolution he had
formed to go to Italy that summer. This denial highly exasperated the vain and powerful party, who despatched
Mr. Dalton, then librarian to His Majesty, upon the important expedition alluded to ; in the interim, the unfortunate but
meritorious William Wynne Ryland presented himself, and did the graphic deed of note and glory."
The same writer observes, that after Bartolozzi liad engraved his " Venus," his "Cupid and Satyr," and his almost
incomparable "Clytie," he "suffered his high reputation to moulder by admitting (allowing) his name to be affixed to
works which he had scarcely touched with his own magic graver. . . . It is a prostitution derogatory to his talents.
. . . If such measures arose from his overweening good nature, I must pity such an amiable weakness ; but if they
arose from his love of money, I regret it, thougli it were acquired to strengthen his excessive habits of benevolence, for
he solaces all who come within his gates." In another portion of the same work (p. 36) Bartolozzi is alluded to in con-
nection with his drawings of the human figure, as "the Achilles of Art." "He draws better than any other man in the
world, and can give a truth and durability to that design beyond the powers of any other individual in the same depart-
ment."
unsuspiciously to him the names of those pictures he intended copying for the purpose
of afterwards engraving. Strange mentioned amongst others the "Circumcision " and
" Abraham putting away Hagar," by Guercino, and "SS. Peter and Paul" and the
Aldrovandi "Cupid," by Guido. Strange further relates that he asked Dalton whether he
meant to employ Bartolozzi at Bologna, and was assured by Dalton, in the presence of
Bartolozzi, that he did not; the librarian adding that their visit to Bologna was a jaunt of
recreation, and that they should both return to Venice on the following Wednesday. The
trio parted with mutual good wishes, Strange continuing his journey to Parma, where he
remained about three months, during which time it appears that Bartolozzi, instead of
returning to Venice, remained in Bologna, where he was employed by Dalton to make
drawings of the very pictures Strange had indicated as the objects of his journey.
Dalton further availed himself of his position as librarian to the King to use his
master's name in order to obtain permission to copy pictures usually difficult of access.
He also effectually debarred Strange from copying the Aldrovandi "Sleeping Cupid"
by pretending to negotiate for its purchase for the King of England, and requesting that
Bartolozzi might be allowed a drawing of it to submit to his august master for approval ;
which permission was given. When Strange applied for a similar permission, it was
refused on the ground that, in the face of impending negotiations, it would be unfair to
allow another copy to be made. Strange was the more mortified, as he shortly afterwards
discovered that Bartolozzi's drawing had not been sent to England at all, but remained in
his possession for the purpose of engraving.
That Dalton acted in these transactions in a disloyal and discreditable manner is, if
we take Sir Robert Strange's word, sufficiently evident; but as to Bartolozzi's share in
them, there is a doubt of which he is entitled to the benefit.
Dalton had gone so far in his negotiations with Senator Aldrovandi as to agree,
subject to the King's confirmation, to pay him a sum equal to a thousand pounds for the
"Sleeping Cupid"; but after the drawing had been obtained by false pretences, the
negotiations were allowed to completely fall through, and within a very few weeks after-
wards the picture was purchased by Strange himself, for Mr. Dundas, an English collector
on a visit to Bologna, for a much smaller sum.
8 Without