Charles Catton
Encyclopedia
Charles Catton sometimes referred to as Charles Catton the Elder, was a notable English
landscape, animal and figure painter
of the late 18th century, and one of the founder members of the Royal Academy
.
, Norfolk
, in 1728, one of a family of 35 children, was apprenticed to a London
coach painter, and studied art at the St. Martin's Lane Academy
. He was mainly known as a landscape and animal painter, but he had a good knowledge of the figure, and a talent for humorous design. In 1781, he published an etching called "The Margate Packet".
He became a member of the Society of Artists
, and exhibited various pictures in its galleries from 1760-64. He was outstanding as a coach painter, producing ornamental panels for carriages, floral embellishments, and heraldic devices to the highest quality, eventually becoming coach-painter to George III
.
He was one of the founding members of the Royal Academy
, and, in 1784, was master of the Worshipful Company of Painter-Stainers
. He exhibited at the Academy from its foundation to the year of his death, sending a large number of works altogether. These were usually landscapes, but occasionally subject and animal paintings. "Jupiter and Leda" and "Child at play" were his last works. He painted an altar-piece
, "The Angel delivering St. Peter", for the church of St Peter Mancroft
in Norwich.
Some years before his death he gave up the practice of art. He died at his house in Judd Place, New
Road, London, on the 28th August 1798, and was buried in Bloomsbury cemetery.
His son, Charles Catton the younger
(1756–1819), was listed in Royal Academy Catalogues as residing at his father's house in Gate Street, and gained a reputation as a scene-painter and topographical draughtsman. He died in the United States
in 1819.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
landscape, animal and figure painter
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
of the late 18th century, and one of the founder members of the Royal Academy
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
.
Life and work
Catton was born in NorwichNorwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
, Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
, in 1728, one of a family of 35 children, was apprenticed to a London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
coach painter, and studied art at the St. Martin's Lane Academy
St. Martin's Lane Academy
The St. Martin's Lane Academy, which was the precursor of the Royal Academy, was organized in 1735 by William Hogarth, from the circle of artists and designers who gathered at Slaughter's Coffee House at the upper end of St. Martin's Lane, London. The artistic set that introduced the Rococo style...
. He was mainly known as a landscape and animal painter, but he had a good knowledge of the figure, and a talent for humorous design. In 1781, he published an etching called "The Margate Packet".
He became a member of the Society of Artists
Society of Artists
The Society of Artists of Great Britain was founded in London in May 1761 by an association of artists in order to provide a venue for the public exhibition of recent work by living artists, such as was having success in the long-established Paris salons....
, and exhibited various pictures in its galleries from 1760-64. He was outstanding as a coach painter, producing ornamental panels for carriages, floral embellishments, and heraldic devices to the highest quality, eventually becoming coach-painter to George III
George III of the United Kingdom
George III was King of Great Britain and King of Ireland from 25 October 1760 until the union of these two countries on 1 January 1801, after which he was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland until his death...
.
He was one of the founding members of the Royal Academy
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
, and, in 1784, was master of the Worshipful Company of Painter-Stainers
Worshipful Company of Painter-Stainers
The Worshipful Company of Painter-Stainers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. An organisation of stainers, or painters of metals and wood, is known to have existed as early as 1268. A similar organisation of painters, who generally worked on cloth, existed as early as 1283...
. He exhibited at the Academy from its foundation to the year of his death, sending a large number of works altogether. These were usually landscapes, but occasionally subject and animal paintings. "Jupiter and Leda" and "Child at play" were his last works. He painted an altar-piece
Altarpiece
An altarpiece is a picture or relief representing a religious subject and suspended in a frame behind the altar of a church. The altarpiece is often made up of two or more separate panels created using a technique known as panel painting. It is then called a diptych, triptych or polyptych for two,...
, "The Angel delivering St. Peter", for the church of St Peter Mancroft
St Peter Mancroft
St Peter Mancroft is a parish church in the Church of England, in the centre of Norwich, Norfolk. It is the largest church in Norwich and was built between 1430 and 1455. It stands on a slightly elevated position, next to the market place...
in Norwich.
Some years before his death he gave up the practice of art. He died at his house in Judd Place, New
Road, London, on the 28th August 1798, and was buried in Bloomsbury cemetery.
His son, Charles Catton the younger
Charles Catton the younger
Charles Catton the younger was an English topographical artist, illustrator and theatrical scene-painter.-Life and work:...
(1756–1819), was listed in Royal Academy Catalogues as residing at his father's house in Gate Street, and gained a reputation as a scene-painter and topographical draughtsman. He died in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1819.
Further reading
- Philip H. Highfill, Kalman A. Burnim, Edward A. Langhans. A Biographical Dictionary of Actors, Volume 3 p116 (SIU Press, 1975).
External links
- The Catton Collection (Norwich Castle Museum - 2 Jan 2010)
- Charles Catton Senior (1728-1798) (Norwich Castle Museum - 2 Jan 2010)