William Doughty
(1757-1781 or 1782), Portrait painter and mezzotinterMid-Georgian Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter associated with 2 portraits
Artist associated with 13 portraits
William Doughty, portrait painter and printmaker, was recommended to Sir Joshua Reynolds by the Revd William Mason and, on being accepted, lived in Reynolds's house in Leicester Fields, Westminster, having enrolled as his pupil from 1775. He exhibited a portrait at the Royal Academy's exhibition in 1776. Doughty returned to London in 1778. He produced a series of excellent mezzotints after Reynolds, who advised Doughty to make a career as a mezzotinter. Doughty was however ambitious for recognition as a painter, and as his wife had friends in Bengal they decided to seek their fortune there. They embarked in 1780, but they both died on the journey.
by William Doughty
oil on canvas, feigned oval, circa 1776
NPG 2513
probably by William Doughty
mezzotint, circa 1777-1782
NPG D13741
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