Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Catton, Charles (1756-1819)

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CATTON, CHARLES, the younger (1756–1819), painter, son of Charles Catton the elder [q. v.], was born in London 30 Dec. 1756. He had the advantage of his father's tuition, and studied also in the Academy schools, where it is stated that he acquired a good knowledge of the figure. He travelled considerably in England and Scotland making sketches, of which some were afterwards engraved and published. He was known as a scene-painter, and also as a topographical draughtsman. In 1775 he exhibited at the Royal Academy a ‘View of London from Blackfriars Bridge,’ and one of ‘Westminster from Westminster Bridge.’ In 1793 he exhibited designs for Gay's ‘Fables,’ together with Burney. These were afterwards published. So also were a number of drawings of animals taken from nature and engraved by himself, 1788. At the Royal Academy he exhibited thirty-seven times altogether from 1776 to 1800. In the latter year he was living at Purley. In 1804 he left this country for America, and settled in a farm upon the Hudson with his two daughters and a son. There he lived until his death, painting occasionally. At South Kensington there are specimens of his work—some drawings of animals done in a neat, wiry manner. He is said to have ‘acquired wealth’ by his painting. He died 24 April 1819.

[Redgrave's Dict. of Artists; Graves's Dict. of Artists; Cat. Eng. Coll. South Kensington Museum.]