Francesco Bartolozzi was born in Florence, Italy, on September 21, 1727, the son of a goldsmith. Although his father hoped he would follow the family trade, Bartolozzi’s artistic talent soon became apparent. He was placed under the instruction of two Florentine artists, Ignazio Hugford and Giovanni Domenico Ferretti, who taught him painting and drawing.

After three years of painting, Bartolozzi moved to Venice to pursue engraving. There, he spent six years working for Joseph Wagner, a prominent engraver and printseller, before establishing his own workshop. His early works in Venice were engravings in the style of Marco Ricci and Francesco Zuccarelli. In 1762, Bartolozzi moved briefly to Rome, where he completed a series of engravings after Domenichino’s frescoes at Grottaferrata, depicting the life of St. Nilus.

In 1763, Bartolozzi met Richard Dalton, the English Royal Librarian, who was seeking works for the British royal collection. Dalton offered him a position as Engraver to the King, and in 1764 Bartolozzi relocated to London. There, he quickly gained recognition for his technical skill and was appointed Engraver to King George III. He became especially known for popularizing the stipple, or "crayon," method of engraving, which used dots to achieve tonal effects and was particularly suited for reproducing chalk drawings and delicate portraits.

Bartolozzi’s London studio became a hub for decorative and portrait engravings, often collaborating with artists such as Angelica Kauffmann and Giovanni Battista Cipriani. In 1768, he was elected a founding member of the Royal Academy, a remarkable achievement for an engraver. He trained many students, including Luigi Schiavonetti and Peltro William Tomkins, who would go on to have successful careers of their own.

After nearly forty years in London, Bartolozzi was invited in 1802 to become Director of the National Academy in Lisbon, Portugal. He accepted the position and spent his final years there, remaining active in the arts until his death in Lisbon on March 7, 1815.

Bartolozzi’s legacy endures as one of the most influential engravers of the 18th century, notable for his technical innovation, prolific output, and the elevation of engraving to a respected art form.