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Robert Dighton

(1751-1814), Portrait painter, caricaturist and actor

Sitter 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.

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William Douglas, 4th Duke of Queensberry ('Old Q-uiz the old goat of Piccadilly'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D10693

William Douglas, 4th Duke of Queensberry ('Old Q-uiz the old goat of Piccadilly')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 25 February 1796
NPG D10693

'John Doe & Richd Roe. Brothers in law', by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D46388

'John Doe & Richd Roe. Brothers in law'

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 6 November 1796
NPG D46388

The Royal Cock=Pitt (William Pitt; Charles James Fox), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D47138

The Royal Cock=Pitt (William Pitt; Charles James Fox)

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 20 December 1796
NPG D47138

Dev'lish Cold, published by Bowles & Carver, after Robert Dighton - NPG D47160

Dev'lish Cold

published by Bowles & Carver, after Robert Dighton
hand-coloured mezzotint, published 9 November 1796
NPG D47160

William Douglas, 4th Duke of Queensberry ('Old Q-uiz the old goat of Piccadilly'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D5569

William Douglas, 4th Duke of Queensberry ('Old Q-uiz the old goat of Piccadilly')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 25 February 1796
NPG D5569

'John Doe & Richd Roe. Brothers in law', by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13307

'John Doe & Richd Roe. Brothers in law'

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 6 November 1796
NPG D13307

Charles Howard, 11th Duke of Norfolk ('A view of Norfolk'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13341

Charles Howard, 11th Duke of Norfolk ('A view of Norfolk')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 1 February 1796
NPG D13341

Charles Howard, 11th Duke of Norfolk ('A view of Norfolk'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13403

Charles Howard, 11th Duke of Norfolk ('A view of Norfolk')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 1 February 1796
NPG D13403

'John Doe & Richd Roe. Brothers in law', by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13404

'John Doe & Richd Roe. Brothers in law'

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 6 November 1796
NPG D13404

'John Doe & Richd Roe. Brothers in law', by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13405

'John Doe & Richd Roe. Brothers in law'

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 6 November 1796
NPG D13405

'The Fox and the grapes' (Charles James Fox), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13406

'The Fox and the grapes' (Charles James Fox)

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 29 December 1796
NPG D13406

Richard Pepper Arden, 1st Baron Alvanley, by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D15511

Richard Pepper Arden, 1st Baron Alvanley

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 6 November 1796
NPG D15511

Charles Howard, 11th Duke of Norfolk ('A view of Norfolk'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D15636

Charles Howard, 11th Duke of Norfolk ('A view of Norfolk')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 1 February 1796
NPG D15636

Alexander Wedderburn, 1st Earl of Rosslyn (Lord Loughborough) ('A chance seller with a capital prize in the state lottery'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D9266

Alexander Wedderburn, 1st Earl of Rosslyn (Lord Loughborough) ('A chance seller with a capital prize in the state lottery')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 14 February 1797
NPG D9266

William Pitt ('Billy Caught Naping [napping]), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D47140

William Pitt ('Billy Caught Naping [napping])

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 24 April 1797
NPG D47140

Alexander Wedderburn, 1st Earl of Rosslyn (Lord Loughborough) ('A chance seller with a capital prize in the state lottery'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13345

Alexander Wedderburn, 1st Earl of Rosslyn (Lord Loughborough) ('A chance seller with a capital prize in the state lottery')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 14 February 1797
NPG D13345

Friedrich I, King of Württemberg ('A great personage'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13358

Friedrich I, King of Württemberg ('A great personage')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 25 May 1797
NPG D13358

Friedrich I, King of Württemberg ('A great personage'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D15556

Friedrich I, King of Württemberg ('A great personage')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 25 May 1797
NPG D15556

'Members of the Whig Club' (Charles Howard, 11th Duke of Norfolk; Charles James Fox), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D10721

'Members of the Whig Club' (Charles Howard, 11th Duke of Norfolk; Charles James Fox)

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 25 May 1798
NPG D10721

The Arms and Supporters of a Debateing Society (Charles James Fox; William Pitt), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D47139

The Arms and Supporters of a Debateing Society (Charles James Fox; William Pitt)

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 25 January 1798
NPG D47139

John Philip Kemble ('We serve a King whom we love - a God whom we adore'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D10686

John Philip Kemble ('We serve a King whom we love - a God whom we adore')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published June 1799
NPG D10686

Sarah Siddons (née Kemble) ('Hold! - Pizarro - hear me! - if not always justly, at least act always greatly'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D10687

Sarah Siddons (née Kemble) ('Hold! - Pizarro - hear me! - if not always justly, at least act always greatly')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 14 December 1799
NPG D10687

Sarah Siddons (née Kemble) ('Hold! - Pizarro - hear me! - if not always justly, at least act always greatly'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D6837

Sarah Siddons (née Kemble) ('Hold! - Pizarro - hear me! - if not always justly, at least act always greatly')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 14 December 1799
NPG D6837

King George III ('Our Sovereign Lord the King'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D47131

King George III ('Our Sovereign Lord the King')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 19 May 1800
NPG D47131

A Man of Fashion, in 1700. A Fashionable Man in 1800., by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D47137

A Man of Fashion, in 1700. A Fashionable Man in 1800.

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published November 1800
NPG D47137

George Frederick Cooke as Richard III, by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D47149

George Frederick Cooke as Richard III

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 1 December 1800
NPG D47149

George Frederick Cooke as Richard III, by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13322

George Frederick Cooke as Richard III

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 1 December 1800
NPG D13322

Sir Archibald MacDonald, 1st Bt, published by Bowles & Carver, after Robert Dighton - NPG D15215

Sir Archibald MacDonald, 1st Bt

published by Bowles & Carver, after Robert Dighton
mezzotint, published circa 1800-1825
NPG D15215

'Descriptions of battles by sea & land, in two volumes, from the Kings Library's at Greenwich & Chelsea', by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D9062

'Descriptions of battles by sea & land, in two volumes, from the Kings Library's at Greenwich & Chelsea'

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published March 1801
NPG D9062

Augustus Henry FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton ('A noble duke, taken on the Steyne at Brighton'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D9433

Augustus Henry FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton ('A noble duke, taken on the Steyne at Brighton')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 20 November 1801
NPG D9433

'Descriptions of battles by sea & land, in two volumes, from the Kings Library's at Greenwich & Chelsea', by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D10690

'Descriptions of battles by sea & land, in two volumes, from the Kings Library's at Greenwich & Chelsea'

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published March 1801
NPG D10690

William Philip Molyneux, 2nd Earl of Sefton ('Lord Dashalong bent on driving'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D10722

William Philip Molyneux, 2nd Earl of Sefton ('Lord Dashalong bent on driving')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published November 1801
NPG D10722

Martha Gunn the Old Brighton Bather, by Robert Dighton - NPG D47125

Martha Gunn the Old Brighton Bather

by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published December 1801
NPG D47125

Sir James Affleck, Bt ('A Commander of Light Dragoons, taken on the Steyne at Brighton'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D47129

Sir James Affleck, Bt ('A Commander of Light Dragoons, taken on the Steyne at Brighton')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 20 November 1801
NPG D47129

John Willett Payne ('Jack P- the Little Admiral. taken on the Steyne at Brighton'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D47134

John Willett Payne ('Jack P- the Little Admiral. taken on the Steyne at Brighton')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published December 1801
NPG D47134

Matthew Day ('A gloomy day, taken on the Steyne at Brighton'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13303

Matthew Day ('A gloomy day, taken on the Steyne at Brighton')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published November 1801
NPG D13303

Matthew Day ('A gloomy day, taken on the Steyne at Brighton'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D8698

Matthew Day ('A gloomy day, taken on the Steyne at Brighton')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published November 1801
NPG D8698

'A noble commander from South Gloucester taken on the Steyne at Brighton', by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13294

'A noble commander from South Gloucester taken on the Steyne at Brighton'

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published December 1801
NPG D13294

Augustus Henry FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton ('A noble duke, taken on the Steyne at Brighton'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13313

Augustus Henry FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton ('A noble duke, taken on the Steyne at Brighton')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 20 November 1801
NPG D13313

Augustus Henry FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton ('A noble duke, taken on the Steyne at Brighton'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13407

Augustus Henry FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton ('A noble duke, taken on the Steyne at Brighton')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 20 November 1801
NPG D13407

Matthew Day ('A gloomy day, taken on the Steyne at Brighton'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13408

Matthew Day ('A gloomy day, taken on the Steyne at Brighton')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published November 1801
NPG D13408

Matthew Day ('A gloomy day, taken on the Steyne at Brighton'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13409

Matthew Day ('A gloomy day, taken on the Steyne at Brighton')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published November 1801
NPG D13409

William Philip Molyneux, 2nd Earl of Sefton ('Lord Dashalong bent on driving'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13410

William Philip Molyneux, 2nd Earl of Sefton ('Lord Dashalong bent on driving')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published November 1801
NPG D13410

William Philip Molyneux, 2nd Earl of Sefton ('Lord Dashalong bent on driving'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13411

William Philip Molyneux, 2nd Earl of Sefton ('Lord Dashalong bent on driving')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published November 1801
NPG D13411

'A noble commander from South Gloucester taken on the Steyne at Brighton', by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13412

'A noble commander from South Gloucester taken on the Steyne at Brighton'

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published December 1801
NPG D13412

'A noble commander from South Gloucester taken on the Steyne at Brighton', by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13413

'A noble commander from South Gloucester taken on the Steyne at Brighton'

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published December 1801
NPG D13413

Augustus Henry FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton ('A noble duke, taken on the Steyne at Brighton'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D15389

Augustus Henry FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton ('A noble duke, taken on the Steyne at Brighton')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 20 November 1801
NPG D15389

John Braham ('Mr Braham in the character of Orlando'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D10688

John Braham ('Mr Braham in the character of Orlando')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 22 March 1802
NPG D10688

Sir Thomas Charles Bunbury, 6th Bt ('The Steward of the course. Taken on the Race Ground, Brighton'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D10946

Sir Thomas Charles Bunbury, 6th Bt ('The Steward of the course. Taken on the Race Ground, Brighton')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published December 1802
NPG D10946

Samuel Horsley ('A trip from Rochester to St Asaph'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D10947

Samuel Horsley ('A trip from Rochester to St Asaph')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published December 1802
NPG D10947

William Henry Fortescue, Earl of Clermont ('A Venerable Peer. taken on the Race Course Brighton'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D47135

William Henry Fortescue, Earl of Clermont ('A Venerable Peer. taken on the Race Course Brighton')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published December 1802
NPG D47135

possibly Sir John Slade, 1st Bt ('The Little Colonel. taken on the Steyne at Brighton'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D47136

possibly Sir John Slade, 1st Bt ('The Little Colonel. taken on the Steyne at Brighton')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published December 1802
NPG D47136

Solomon Loan. taken on the Royal Exchange, by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D47148

Solomon Loan. taken on the Royal Exchange

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published December 1802
NPG D47148

Sir Thomas Charles Bunbury, 6th Bt ('The Steward of the course. Taken on the Race Ground, Brighton'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D47150

Sir Thomas Charles Bunbury, 6th Bt ('The Steward of the course. Taken on the Race Ground, Brighton')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published December 1802
NPG D47150

John Braham ('Mr Braham in the character of Orlando'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D1089

John Braham ('Mr Braham in the character of Orlando')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 22 March 1802
NPG D1089

John Braham ('Mr Braham in the character of Orlando'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D1090

John Braham ('Mr Braham in the character of Orlando')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 22 March 1802
NPG D1090

John Braham ('Mr Braham in the character of Orlando'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D1091

John Braham ('Mr Braham in the character of Orlando')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 22 March 1802
NPG D1091

Edmund Tattersall ('A view near Hyde Park Corner'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13311

Edmund Tattersall ('A view near Hyde Park Corner')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published February 1802
NPG D13311

Edmund Tattersall ('A view near Hyde Park Corner'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13414

Edmund Tattersall ('A view near Hyde Park Corner')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published February 1802
NPG D13414

John Braham ('Mr Braham in the character of Orlando'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13415

John Braham ('Mr Braham in the character of Orlando')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 22 March 1802
NPG D13415

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