JAMES FITTLER

(1758-1835)

James Fittler was born in London and initially studied at the R.A. Schools from 1778. In 1800 he succeeded in being elected an Associate Engraver of the R.A. and was appointed ‘Marine Engraver’ to George III. His oeuvre included engraved portraits, landscapes and marine subjects of which his best works are considered to be Lord Howe’s Victory and The Battle of the Nile both after Philippe Jacques de Loutherbourg (1740-1812), the French land- and seascape painter and theatre designer. 

These two engravings are based on two watercolour paintings by George Robertson (c.1748-88) in the Gallery's collection (see notes), which are in turn based on The Seasons by James Thomson (1700-48). As a Nature poet, Thomson was a precursor of William Wordsworth (1770-1850) and Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834).

Copyright © Trustees of Cecil Higgins Art Gallery, Bedford.

Extract taken from Prints, Cecil Higgins Art Gallery .

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