George Cuitt (1779-1854) - 'England's Piranesi'

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George Cuitt (1779–1854), active in Chester and North Yorkshire, was hailed as a pioneering etcher and one of the most original artists in Britain. Though skilled in sketching and painting landscapes and architecture, he was inspired by Giovanni Battista Piranesi's prints to focus on etching for his published works. His etchings from 1808 to 1834 are regarded as unparalleled in Britain and among the best globally. Born in Richmond, Yorkshire, Cuitt trained under his father and became a drawing master, relocating to Chester in 1804, where he produced over half of his work. The income from teaching and his publications allowed him to achieve financial independence and return to Masham in 1821, where he built a house and created his renowned series of etchings of Yorkshire abbeys, considered his finest achievements. This comprehensive collection showcases all of Cuitt's known etchings, both published and unpublished, allowing for an in-depth evaluation of his ability to blend atmospheric, romantic visions with precise architectural and landscape representations of regions like Chester, North Wales, Cumbria, Warwickshire, and Yorkshire. The volume includes newly researched essays on Cuitt's biography, his art, the role of drawing masters in Regency England, etching processes, and print economics, significantly enhancing his reputation as one of the finest native etchers.