1784
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Celebrated Vincent Lunardi Esq. Accompanied by Two Friends in His Third Aerial Excursion, Taken from St. George's Fields, in London is a 1784 ink by Francesco Bartolozzi, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This print shows three people in a hot-air balloon. The man in the front holds the ropes, wearing a fancy coat and a serious look. Behind him, a woman sits with a child, both dressed in simple but neat clothes. The balloon’s basket is made of wicker, and the ropes crisscross above them. The sky is dark, but the balloon seems steady. The artist used a mix of fine lines and shading to show texture, like the fabric and ropes. This was a big deal in 1784—balloon rides were brand-new and exciting. Next, check out etching to see how artists like this made detailed prints.
Francesco Bartolozzi (21 September 1727 – 7 March 1815) was an Italian engraver, whose most productive period was spent in London. He is noted for popularizing the "crayon" method of engraving.
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