Francesco Bartolozzi RA (1727–1815) was an Italian engraver, whose most productive period was spent in London. He is noted for popularising the 'crayon' method of engraving. Born in Florence in 1727, he was originally destined to follow the profession of his father, a gold- and silver-smith. But his early talent was such that he was placed under the supervision of two Florentine artists, including Ignazio Hugford and Giovanni Domenico Ferretti who instructed him in painting. After devoting three years to that art, he went to Venice and studied engraving, going on to work under Joseph Wagner. In 1764 he left Venice for London, where he lived for nearly forty years. He produced an enormous number of engravings, many from the works of Cipriani and Angelica Kauffman. He was appointed 'Engraver to the King' and was elected a founding member of the Royal Academy in 1768. In 1802 became the founding President of the short-lived Society of Engravers. In 1802, Bartolozzi accepted the post of director of the National Academy of Lisbon, the city where he died.