Giovanni Battista Cipriani

Giovanni Battista Cipriani (1727-14 December 1785) was an Italian painter and engraver who lived in England from 1755. Much of his work consisted of designs for prints, many of which were engraved by his friend, Francesco Bartolozzi. Cipriani was born in Florence, although his family was originally from Pistoia. He first studied with Ignatius Hugford, a Florentine artist of English descent, and then under Anton Domenico Gabbiani. He spent 1750-53 in Rome, where he became acquainted with the architect, Sir William Chambers, and the sculptor, Joseph Wilton, whom he accompanied to England in August 1755. In England, he was patronized by Lord Tilney, the Duke of Richmond and other noblemen. He painted ceilings or prepared decorations for many notable places in London. Cipriani was a founding member (1768) of the Royal Academy, and designed its diploma. He was employed frequently by publishers, for whom he made pen and ink drawings, sometimes colored. He also decorated furniture. Cipriani died in Hammersmith and was buried at Dovehouse Green, Chelsea, where Bartolozzi erected a monument to his memory. The artist married an Englishwoman and had two sons. Among his pupils were John Alexander Gresse, Charles Grignion the Younger, and Mauritius Lowe.