James Fitton (artist)

James Fitton RA (19 December 1899 – 3 June 1982) was a British artist, known primarily for his socially conscious figurative art, particularly lithographs and drawings.

Fitton was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, and studied at the Leeds School of Art. He moved to London in 1921 and worked in commercial art before dedicating himself fully to painting and printmaking.

A significant aspect of Fitton's career was his involvement in the Artists' International Association (AIA), a left-leaning organization committed to using art as a force for social change. His work often reflected his socialist beliefs, depicting working-class life and commenting on social inequalities. He produced posters, illustrations, and paintings addressing issues such as poverty, unemployment, and the rise of fascism.

Fitton was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy (ARA) in 1945 and a Royal Academician (RA) in 1954. He also taught at the Central School of Art and Design. His work is held in numerous public collections, including the Tate, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Imperial War Museum.

His artistic style is characterized by its realistic depiction of everyday scenes and people, often imbued with a sense of humor and pathos. He employed a range of media, including oil paint, watercolor, and printmaking techniques, but is particularly celebrated for his lithographs, which showcase his mastery of the medium and his ability to capture the nuances of human expression. Fitton's art provides a valuable record of British social history in the mid-20th century.