Robert Dighton
(1751-1814), Portrait painter, caricaturist and actorSitter in 4 portraits
Artist associated with 320 portraits
Entered the Royal Academy Schools in 1772 and afterwards set up as a drawing-master and miniature portrait painter. The first prints that he designed were of actors in character for John Bell's edition of Shakespeare's works (1775-6). Dighton became well known as a caricaturist. He satirised lawyers, military officers, actors and actresses, as well as tailors, academics and the down-at-heel types. For a time he combined his career as artist and printseller with that of an actor and singer in the West End. In 1806, Dighton achieved notoriety when it was discovered that he had been stealing prints from the British Museum. His son, Richard Dighton, was also a caricaturist.
by Robert Dighton
pen and sepia wash, circa 1787
NPG 2815
by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, 1803
NPG 982e
by Robert Dighton
watercolour, 1803
NPG 5477
by Robert Dighton
watercolour, circa 1803
NPG 5477a
by Robert Dighton
coloured etching, 1810
NPG 982d
by Robert Laurie, after Robert Dighton
mezzotint, published 10 July 1779
NPG D1647
by Robert Laurie, after Robert Dighton
mezzotint, published 10 July 1779
NPG D1648
by Robert Laurie, after Robert Dighton
mezzotint, published 1779
NPG D2551
by Robert Laurie, after Robert Dighton
mezzotint, published 1779
NPG D2947
by Robert Laurie, after Robert Dighton
mezzotint, published 10 July 1779
NPG D3812
by Robert Laurie, published by William Richardson, after Robert Dighton
mezzotint, published 10 July 1779
NPG D4923
by Robert Laurie, published by William Richardson, after Robert Dighton
mezzotint, published 10 July 1779
NPG D14410
by Robert Laurie, published by William Richardson, after Robert Dighton
mezzotint, published 10 July 1779
NPG D18932
Isabella Mattocks (née Hallam)
by Robert Laurie, after Robert Dighton
mezzotint, published 1780
NPG D3651
Isabella Mattocks (née Hallam)
by Robert Laurie, after Robert Dighton
mezzotint, published 1780
NPG D3652
by Robert Laurie, after Robert Dighton
mezzotint, published 1 March 1780
NPG D3921
Mary Ann Wrighten (née Matthews, later Pownall)
by Robert Laurie, published by William Richardson, after Robert Dighton
mezzotint, published 1 March 1780
NPG D4920
Elizabeth Bannister (née Harpur)
by Robert Laurie, after Robert Dighton
mezzotint, published 1780
NPG D595
Elizabeth Bannister (née Harpur)
by Robert Laurie, after Robert Dighton
mezzotint, published 1780
NPG D623
Elizabeth Bannister (née Harpur)
by Robert Laurie, after Robert Dighton
mezzotint, published 1780
NPG D624
Elizabeth Bannister (née Harpur)
by Robert Laurie, after Robert Dighton
coloured mezzotint, published 1780
NPG D625
by Robert Laurie, after Robert Dighton
mezzotint, published 1780
NPG D884
by Robert Laurie, published by William Richardson, after Robert Dighton
mezzotint, published 1 March 1780
NPG D19434
'Two Impures of the Ton driving to the Gigg Shop, Hammersmith.'
by Robert Dighton, published by Robert Sayer, published by John Bennett, and published by John Smith of Cheapside
hand-coloured etching, published 6 February 1781
NPG D47141
The Contrast (includes John Bull)
published by Carington Bowles, after Robert Dighton
mezzotint, circa 1783
NPG D47046
published by Carington Bowles, after Robert Dighton
hand-coloured mezzotint, published 2 September 1784
NPG D47047
'Out of Place. Hors D'Emploi.'
published by Carington Bowles, after Robert Dighton
hand-coloured mezzotint, published 2 September 1784
NPG D47048
A Master Parson Returned from Duty
published by Carington Bowles, after Robert Dighton
hand-coloured mezzotint, published 9 November 1785
NPG D47152
published by Carington Bowles, after Robert Dighton
hand-coloured mezzotint, circa 1786
NPG D47049
by Robert Laurie, after Robert Dighton
mezzotint, published 1787
NPG D594
by Robert Laurie, after Robert Dighton
mezzotint, published 1787
NPG D7507
by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, circa 1790
NPG D9059
by Robert Dighton
etching, published 6 November 1791
NPG D47130
Possibly Joseph Shepherd Munden ('Tippy Bob - The Natty Crop')
published by Carington Bowles, after Robert Dighton
hand-coloured mezzotint, published 14 February 1792
NPG D47153
published by Carington Bowles, probably after Robert Dighton
hand-coloured mezzotint, published 2 March 1792
NPG D47154
published by Carington Bowles, after Robert Dighton
hand-coloured mezzotint, published 29 September 1792
NPG D47155
published by Bowles & Carver, after Robert Dighton
hand-coloured mezzotint, published 25 July 1792
NPG D47159
by Daniel Orme, after Robert Dighton
stipple engraving, published 1792
NPG D3291
by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 14 September 1792
NPG D4904
William Jackson ('A jack in office')
by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 4 January 1793
NPG D10872
The First Day of Term - or, The Devil among the Lawyers
published by Bowles & Carver, after Robert Dighton
hand-coloured mezzotint, 1793 or after
NPG D47045
A Country Attorney and his Clients. Avocat de la Campagne avec ses Clients
published by Bowles & Carver, possibly after Robert Dighton
hand-coloured mezzotint, 1793 or after
NPG D47054
after Robert Dighton
mezzotint, 1793 or after
NPG D1894
King George IV when Prince of Wales
after Robert Dighton
mezzotint, 1793 or after
NPG D8047
'Vil you give us a glass of gin. I'll see you d--n'd first'
by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 4 January 1793
NPG D13312
James Christie ('The specious orator')
by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 25 March 1794
NPG D10684
Stephen Kemble ('Hamlet in Scotland')
by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 6 December 1794
NPG D10685
published by Bowles & Carver, after Robert Dighton
mezzotint, published 17 February 1794
NPG D47050
Stephen Kemble ('Hamlet in Scotland')
by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 6 December 1794
NPG D13335
Stephen Kemble ('Hamlet in Scotland')
by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 6 December 1794
NPG D13401
James Christie ('The specious orator')
by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 25 March 1794
NPG D13402
by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, circa 1795
NPG D9060
Allan Maconochie, Lord Meadowbank
by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, circa 1795-1816
NPG D32611
by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 6 November 1795
NPG D9306
by Robert Dighton
etching, published 1795
NPG D10956
published by Bowles & Carver, possibly after Robert Dighton
hand-coloured mezzotint, published 1 September 1795
NPG D47156
A Puppy's Dress in the Dog Days
published by Bowles & Carver, after Robert Dighton
hand-coloured mezzotint, published 29 September 1795
NPG D47157
published by Bowles & Carver, after Robert Dighton
hand-coloured mezzotint, published 9 November 1795
NPG D47158
![Quarrelsome Taylors [Tailors], or Two of a Trade Seldom Agree, published by Bowles & Carver, after Robert Dighton - NPG D47051](https://collectionimages.npg.org.uk/std/mw285763/Quarrelsome-Taylors-Tailors-or-Two-of-a-Trade-Seldom-Agree.jpg)
Quarrelsome Taylors [Tailors], or Two of a Trade Seldom Agree
published by Bowles & Carver, after Robert Dighton
hand-coloured mezzotint, published 2 January 1795
NPG D47051
Related People
- Denis Dighton (son)
- Joshua Dighton (grandson)
- Richard Dighton (son)
- Robert Dighton Jr (son)
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