e came to Bassano a Mr. Testolini, of Vicenza, a
wretched engraver of architecture, but a man of consummate craft and
address. He became acquainted with Schiavonetti at Suntach's, and,
finding in his genius and tractable disposition, a tool which he could
use to great advantage, he engaged him to work at his house.
Bartolozzi's engravings in the chalk manner were then in great repute at
Bassano, and Testolini made several abortive attempts to discover the
process. His young friend succeeded better, and imitated several of
Bartolozzi's prints to perfection; and Testolini took some of
Schiavonetti's productions to the son of Bartolozzi at Venice, and passed
them off as his own. They gained him an introduction to that artist, and
an invitation to London, where he was then in full occupation, and his
works highly appreciated. The change of climate seems to have
deteriorated the talents of Testolini; but such was his adroitness that
he gained a complete ascendancy over the easy temper of Bartolozzi, and
lived in his house at North End, Fulham, about three years. During that
time, finding that yet more important advantages might be derived from
the aid of his former friend, he made several propositions to
Schiavonetti to come to London. These were for a time declined: the
rising fame of the young artist caused his talents to be better
appreciated, and some Venetian noblemen offered him a pension and
constant employment if he would abandon his proposed emigration.
Testolini, to frustrate this, induced Bartolozzi to write a letter of
persuasion, partly dictated by himself; and, confident of its effect, he
set out for Italy to bring Schiavonetti over. During his absence
Bartolozzi gained an insight into his real character and interested
views, and, on his return with his _protege_, told him that his house was
no longer open to him, but that Schiavonetti was welcome to consider it
his home. Testolini, however, having found a house in Sloane Square,
soon persuaded Schiavonetti that it would be better for him to follow his
fortune than to remain with Bartolozzi, to which Schiavonetti consented.
This circumstance terminated the connexion between Bartolozzi and
Schiavonetti; and shortly after the reputation of the latter as an
engraver became established in London, where he conducted every
transaction he was engaged in with an uprightness and integrity that
cause his memory to be equally respected as a gentleman and as an artis