James Fittler


James Fittler was an English engraver of portraits and landscapes and an illustrator of books. He was appointed by King George III to be his marine engraver.

Life

Fittler was born in London in October 1758. In April 1778 he enrolled as student at the Royal Academy and studied engraving. Besides book illustrations, he distinguished himself by numerous works after English and foreign masters, chiefly portraits. He also engraved landscapes, marine subjects, and topographical views, and was appointed marine engraver to George III. In 1788 he resided at No. 62 Upper Charlotte Street, Rathbone Place.
Fittler was elected an associate of the Royal Academy in 1800. He died at Turnham Green, and was buried in Chiswick churchyard. His prints, books, and copper-plates were sold at Sotheby's on 14 July 1825, and the two following days.

Works

Fittler exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1776 and 1824.
Among his works are:
He also executed the plates for Edward Forster's British Gallery, many of those for John Bell's British Theatre, and all the illustrations in Thomas Frognall Dibdin's Ædes Althorpianæ, published in 1822, after which he undertook no important work.