Robert Dighton
(1751-1814), Portrait painter, caricaturist and actorSitter in 4 portraits
Artist associated with 318 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
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
Frances Wrighten (née Matthews)
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
Related People
- Denis Dighton (son)
- Joshua Dighton (grandson)
- Richard Dighton (son)
- Robert Dighton Jr (son)
Tell us more back to top
Can you tell us more about this person? Spotted an error, information that is missing (a sitter’s life dates, occupation or family relationships, or a date of portrait for example) or do you know anything that we don't know? If you have information to share please complete the form below.
If you require information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service. If you wish to license an image, please use our Rights and Images service.
Please note that we cannot provide valuations.
We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.