Chace of a Cutter

Artist John Kitchingman (British, 1740 - 1781)

Engraver Benjamin Thomas Pouncy (died 1799)

Date1783

Object number00027381

NameEngraving

MediumInk on paper

DimensionsOverall: 268 x 333 mm, 0.01 kg
Sheet: 268 x 333 mm
Image: 230 x 307 mm

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Vaughan Evans

Terms

DescriptionAn engraving by Benjamin Pouncy titled 'Chace of a Cutter, from and original picture in the possession of Mr Newton' based on a work by John Kitchingman. The scene is one in a series of four by Kitchingman titled 'Building of a Cutter', 'Chace of a Cutter', 'Unloading of a Cutter' and 'Dissolution of a Cutter' which he exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1781, the last year of his life. In this image a cutter, with cannons at the ready, is being closely pursued by another cutter, who has opened fire. At full speed, the 'chace' is watched by bystanders on the shore while a fisherman, ignoring the action behind him, continues to clean his catch. HistoryIn the late 18th Century Europe witnessed a dramatic increase in the demand for works of art, either of famous people, exotic places, historical events or patriotic feats, by the middle classes. Unable to afford the one off productions of such events by famous artists, they settled for the mass reproductions of these works of arts. The most common form of reproduction was by engraving, when an image is printed from the inked surface of a wood block, metal plate or stone. This form of reproduction allowed multiple copies of famous paintings and drawings to be reproduced at a fraction of the cost. The artists, the original producers of the works, were only too well aware of the potential benefits to their career by the re successful reproduction and many of them personally supervised the engraving process. Thanks to the Engravers Copyright Act of 1735 the identification of the engravers and artists responsible for these works has been made much simpler. The four engravings of the cutter were produced by the well-known English engraver, Benjamin Thomas Pouncy (Pouncey) a watercolourist, etcher and line engraver of landscapes, military and naval subjects who died in 1799. The artist John Kitchingham was a painter who executed a wide range of images including 'sea-pieces'. He was accomplished enough to exhibit regularly at the Royal Academy and in 1769 won a silver medal for his figure drawings. Kitchingham was also a sailing enthusiast who is said to have taken part in the earliest races on the Thames and in one year was associated with the winning of the Duke of Cumberland ("Father of Yachting") Cup. SignificanceEngravings, although not individual works, are representative of the growing awareness in the general public of art. Although relatively cheap, they were often framed and placed on prominent display in living rooms and public houses providing the only pictorial reference to places, aspirations and events which effected the lives of the viewers.