Gaetano Bartolozzi thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Gaetano Bartolozzi

Relief
1782 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This portrait relief in wax depicts Gaetano Bartolozzi, an Italian engraver (1757- 1821). An inscription on the back records that it was 'done by J. Plum London 1782.'

During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, low relief portraits in wax became popular in Britain and they were often exhibited at the Royal Academy, the Society of Artists and elsewhere. Waxes were used in a similar way to prints and medals, in order to disseminate the image of the sitter, or, like miniature paintings or silhouettes as portable mementoes.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleGaetano Bartolozzi
Materials and techniques
wax
Brief description
Portrait relief of Gaetano Bartolozzi, wax, J. Plum, English, 1782
Physical description
Wax portrait relief of Gaetano Bartolozzi, engraver (1757- 1821), bust to right.
Dimensions
  • Height: 7in
  • Width: 5.5in
Object history
Given by Charles Schreiber M.P and Lady Charlotte Schreiber in 1884. Part of a collection given to the museum of mainly English porcelain, earthenware, enamels and glass, formed by Charles and Lady Schreiber from 1865.
Production
inscribed on back 'done by J. Plum, London, 1782.'
Subject depicted
Summary
This portrait relief in wax depicts Gaetano Bartolozzi, an Italian engraver (1757- 1821). An inscription on the back records that it was 'done by J. Plum London 1782.'

During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, low relief portraits in wax became popular in Britain and they were often exhibited at the Royal Academy, the Society of Artists and elsewhere. Waxes were used in a similar way to prints and medals, in order to disseminate the image of the sitter, or, like miniature paintings or silhouettes as portable mementoes.
Bibliographic reference
Schreiber. Catalogue of English Porcelain, earthenware, enamels etc collected by Charles Schreiber, Esq., M.P. and the Lady Charlotte Elizabeth Schreiber, and presented to the South Kensington Museum in 1884. London. 1885. no. 636
Collection
Accession number
414:1367-1885

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdSeptember 8, 2008
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest