The Needle’s Eye

Location

Country: UK
City: London
Place: Government Art Collection

London-born engraver James Fittler exhibited two sketches at the Free Society of Artists, aged 17. He studied engraving at the Royal Academy Schools from 21 and exhibited there between 1788 and 1824, becoming an associate in 1800. He was later appointed marine engraver to George III. He contributed to Boydell’s ‘Shakespeare Gallery’ and co-published ‘Views of Weymouth’ (1790-91) and (with Robert Bowyer) an illustrated bible (1795), losing some £1500 in the later venture. He published engravings for John Claude Nattes's ‘Scotia Depicta’ (1804) and made reproductions of Raphael's ‘Cartoons’ (1810). His last published works illustrated Thomas Frognall Dibdin's ‘Account of the Mansion, Books, and Pictures, at Althorp’ (1822). He died aged 77.

Places

Subjects

rowing boat, barrel, topography, seascape/coastal scene, dog, cave, rock formation, shore, cliff, man, woman, sailboat, ship, oar

Materials & Techniques

engraving, coloured engraving

Artist

John Claude Nattes (1765 - 1822)
James Fittler (1758 - 1835)

Title

The Needle’s Eye

Date

Medium

Coloured engraving

Acquisition

Purchased from the Parker Gallery, January 1978

GAC number

13700