Regency Personalities Series
In my attempts to provide us with the details of the Regency, today I continue with one of the many period notables.
Charles Catton the Younger
30 December 1756 – 24 April 1819
An English topographical artist, illustrator and theatrical scene-painter.
Catton, was born in London, the son of Charles Catton the elder. He received art tuition from his father and also studied at the Royal Academy schools. He travelled extensively through England and Scotland, making sketches, some of which were afterwards engraved and published. He was known as a scene-painter for the theatre, and also as a topographical artist.
In 1775, at the Royal Academy, he exhibited a “View of London from Blackfriars Bridge”, and one of “Westminster from Westminster Bridge”. In 1793, he showed designs, along with fellow artist E A Burney, for John Gay’s “Fables”, which were subsequently published, as were a number of drawings of animals taken from nature and engraved by himself, in 1788. At the Royal Academy from 1776 to 1800 he exhibited 37 times altogether. In the latter, he was recorded as living in Purley. From 1781 to 1794, he was a scene painter at Covent Garden.
In 1804, he emigrated to America and settled in a farm on the River Hudson with his two daughters and a son. There he lived until his death, painting occasionally. He is said to have “acquired wealth”‘ through his painting. He died on the 24th April 1819.
The Things That Catch My Eye 