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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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John Braham ('Mr Braham in the character of Orlando'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13416

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

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 22 March 1802
NPG D13416

John Moore ('The Principal Arch of Lambeth Palace'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13288

John Moore ('The Principal Arch of Lambeth Palace')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published January 1803
NPG D13288

Sir George Prevost, 1st Bt, by Robert Dighton, published by Thomas Palser - NPG D13292

Sir George Prevost, 1st Bt

by Robert Dighton, published by Thomas Palser
hand-coloured etching, published 1803-1816
NPG D13292

John Moore ('The Principal Arch of Lambeth Palace'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13438

John Moore ('The Principal Arch of Lambeth Palace')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published January 1803
NPG D13438

John Moore ('The Principal Arch of Lambeth Palace'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13439

John Moore ('The Principal Arch of Lambeth Palace')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published January 1803
NPG D13439

The Infant Roscius and Billington, Catherine Lee Sugg (later Mrs Hackett) as Rolla in Sheridan's 'Pizarro', by Robert Dighton, published by Christopher Lee Sugg - NPG D47120

The Infant Roscius and Billington, Catherine Lee Sugg (later Mrs Hackett) as Rolla in Sheridan's 'Pizarro'

by Robert Dighton, published by Christopher Lee Sugg
hand-coloured etching, published circa 1804-1805
NPG D47120

John Penn (A Good Old Penn, from the Wing of a Good Old Cock'), by Robert Dighton - NPG D47122

John Penn (A Good Old Penn, from the Wing of a Good Old Cock')

by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 10 January 1804
NPG D47122

John Penn (A Good Old Penn, from the Wing of a Good Old Cock'), by Robert Dighton - NPG D47123

John Penn (A Good Old Penn, from the Wing of a Good Old Cock')

by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 10 January 1804
NPG D47123

Unknown man, by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D47126

Unknown man

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 1 September 1804
NPG D47126

Charles Lennox, 3rd Duke of Richmond and Lennox ('A General View of Richmond. Taken from Sussex'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D47127

Charles Lennox, 3rd Duke of Richmond and Lennox ('A General View of Richmond. Taken from Sussex')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 20 January 1804
NPG D47127

Unknown man ('A Great Prince, A Volunteer among the Danes'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D47128

Unknown man ('A Great Prince, A Volunteer among the Danes')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published April 1804
NPG D47128

William Dalrymple ('Agamemnon a great general, taken on the Steyne at Brighton'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D2245

William Dalrymple ('Agamemnon a great general, taken on the Steyne at Brighton')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 1 January 1804
NPG D2245

John Townsend ('The Towns-end'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13308

John Townsend ('The Towns-end')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 4 December 1804
NPG D13308

William Dalrymple ('Agamemnon a great general, taken on the Steyne at Brighton'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13324

William Dalrymple ('Agamemnon a great general, taken on the Steyne at Brighton')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 1 January 1804
NPG D13324

John Penn ('A good old Penn, from the wing of a good old cock'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13343

John Penn ('A good old Penn, from the wing of a good old cock')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 10 January 1804
NPG D13343

William Dalrymple ('Agamemnon a great general, taken on the Steyne at Brighton'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13418

William Dalrymple ('Agamemnon a great general, taken on the Steyne at Brighton')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 1 January 1804
NPG D13418

John Townsend ('The Towns-end'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13419

John Townsend ('The Towns-end')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 4 December 1804
NPG D13419

Unknown man, by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D9081

Unknown man

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published June 1806
NPG D9081

Angelica Catalani ('Madame Catalani in Semiramide'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D10689

Angelica Catalani ('Madame Catalani in Semiramide')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published December 1806
NPG D10689

Angelica Catalani ('Madame Catalani in Semiramide'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D2026

Angelica Catalani ('Madame Catalani in Semiramide')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published December 1806
NPG D2026

Angelica Catalani ('Madame Catalani in Semiramide'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D2027

Angelica Catalani ('Madame Catalani in Semiramide')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published December 1806
NPG D2027

Angelica Catalani ('Madame Catalani in Semiramide'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D2028

Angelica Catalani ('Madame Catalani in Semiramide')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published December 1806
NPG D2028

Angelica Catalani ('Madame Catalani in Semiramide'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D2029

Angelica Catalani ('Madame Catalani in Semiramide')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published December 1806
NPG D2029

Angelica Catalani ('Madame Catalani in Semiramide'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D2030

Angelica Catalani ('Madame Catalani in Semiramide')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published December 1806
NPG D2030

Angelica Catalani ('Madame Catalani in Semiramide'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D2031

Angelica Catalani ('Madame Catalani in Semiramide')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published December 1806
NPG D2031

'A hero of the turf & his agent' (Frank Buckle; Henry Francis Mellish), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D8598

'A hero of the turf & his agent' (Frank Buckle; Henry Francis Mellish)

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 1806
NPG D8598

'A hero of the turf & his agent' (Frank Buckle; Henry Francis Mellish), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13306

'A hero of the turf & his agent' (Frank Buckle; Henry Francis Mellish)

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 1806
NPG D13306

Angelica Catalani ('Madame Catalani in Semiramide'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13420

Angelica Catalani ('Madame Catalani in Semiramide')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published December 1806
NPG D13420

Angelica Catalani ('Madame Catalani in Semiramide'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13421

Angelica Catalani ('Madame Catalani in Semiramide')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published December 1806
NPG D13421

'A hero of the turf & his agent' (Frank Buckle; Henry Francis Mellish), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13422

'A hero of the turf & his agent' (Frank Buckle; Henry Francis Mellish)

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 1806
NPG D13422

Angelica Catalani ('Madame Catalani in Semiramide'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D15939

Angelica Catalani ('Madame Catalani in Semiramide')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published December 1806
NPG D15939

Sir William Elias Taunton ('A view taken from the Town Hall, Oxford'), by Robert Dighton - NPG D9426

Sir William Elias Taunton ('A view taken from the Town Hall, Oxford')

by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 1 May 1807
NPG D9426

Charles Ashurst ('The major part of the town of Portsmouth'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D9431

Charles Ashurst ('The major part of the town of Portsmouth')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published August 1807
NPG D9431

John Ireland ('Ireland in Scotland or a trip from Oxford to the land of cakes'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D9423

John Ireland ('Ireland in Scotland or a trip from Oxford to the land of cakes')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published June 1807
NPG D9423

'A view taken from Christ Church Meadows, Oxford' (James Webber; Cyril Jackson), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D9439

'A view taken from Christ Church Meadows, Oxford' (James Webber; Cyril Jackson)

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published May 1807
NPG D9439

Charles Ashurst ('The major part of the town of Portsmouth'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D10725

Charles Ashurst ('The major part of the town of Portsmouth')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published August 1807
NPG D10725

Squire Hall ('A view from the Swan Brewhouse, Oxford'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D10870

Squire Hall ('A view from the Swan Brewhouse, Oxford')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 12 June 1807
NPG D10870

John Ireland ('Ireland in Scotland or a trip from Oxford to the land of cakes'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D10871

John Ireland ('Ireland in Scotland or a trip from Oxford to the land of cakes')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published June 1807
NPG D10871

Rebecca Howse (née Wildgoose) ('Mother Goose of Oxford'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D10881

Rebecca Howse (née Wildgoose) ('Mother Goose of Oxford')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published July 1807
NPG D10881

James Fraser, by William Poole, after Robert Dighton - NPG D38422

James Fraser

by William Poole, after Robert Dighton
line engraving, 1807
NPG D38422

James Fraser, by William Poole, after Robert Dighton - NPG D38423

James Fraser

by William Poole, after Robert Dighton
line engraving, 1807
NPG D38423

Mr James ('the Doctor'), by Robert Dighton - NPG D47124

Mr James ('the Doctor')

by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published November 1807
NPG D47124

A Fashionable Lady in Dress & Undress, by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D47143

A Fashionable Lady in Dress & Undress

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 1807
NPG D47143

The Doctor, by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D47147

The Doctor

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published November 1807
NPG D47147

Squire Hall ('A view from the Swan Brewhouse, Oxford'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D4518

Squire Hall ('A view from the Swan Brewhouse, Oxford')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 12 June 1807
NPG D4518

Henry Kett ('A view from Trinity College, Oxford'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13221

Henry Kett ('A view from Trinity College, Oxford')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published June 1807
NPG D13221

Henry Kett ('A view from Trinity College, Oxford'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13279

Henry Kett ('A view from Trinity College, Oxford')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published June 1807
NPG D13279

'A view taken from Christ Church Meadows, Oxford' (James Webber; Cyril Jackson), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13285

'A view taken from Christ Church Meadows, Oxford' (James Webber; Cyril Jackson)

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published May 1807
NPG D13285

Charles Ashurst ('The major part of the town of Portsmouth'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13293

Charles Ashurst ('The major part of the town of Portsmouth')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published August 1807
NPG D13293

Sir William Elias Taunton ('A view taken from the Town Hall, Oxford'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13301

Sir William Elias Taunton ('A view taken from the Town Hall, Oxford')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 1 May 1807
NPG D13301

Sir William Elias Taunton ('A view taken from the Town Hall, Oxford'), by Robert Dighton - NPG D13423

Sir William Elias Taunton ('A view taken from the Town Hall, Oxford')

by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 1 May 1807
NPG D13423

'A view taken from Christ Church Meadows, Oxford' (James Webber; Cyril Jackson), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13424

'A view taken from Christ Church Meadows, Oxford' (James Webber; Cyril Jackson)

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published May 1807
NPG D13424

'A view taken from Christ Church Meadows, Oxford' (James Webber; Cyril Jackson), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13425

'A view taken from Christ Church Meadows, Oxford' (James Webber; Cyril Jackson)

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published May 1807
NPG D13425

'A view taken from Christ Church Meadows, Oxford' (James Webber; Cyril Jackson), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13426

'A view taken from Christ Church Meadows, Oxford' (James Webber; Cyril Jackson)

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published May 1807
NPG D13426

Squire Hall ('A view from the Swan Brewhouse, Oxford'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13427

Squire Hall ('A view from the Swan Brewhouse, Oxford')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 12 June 1807
NPG D13427

Henry Kett ('A view from Trinity College, Oxford'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13428

Henry Kett ('A view from Trinity College, Oxford')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published June 1807
NPG D13428

Henry Kett ('A view from Trinity College, Oxford'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13429

Henry Kett ('A view from Trinity College, Oxford')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published June 1807
NPG D13429

John Ireland ('Ireland in Scotland or a trip from Oxford to the land of cakes'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13430

John Ireland ('Ireland in Scotland or a trip from Oxford to the land of cakes')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published June 1807
NPG D13430

Rebecca Howse (née Wildgoose) ('Mother Goose of Oxford'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13431

Rebecca Howse (née Wildgoose) ('Mother Goose of Oxford')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published July 1807
NPG D13431

Rebecca Howse (née Wildgoose) ('Mother Goose of Oxford'), by and published by Robert Dighton - NPG D13432

Rebecca Howse (née Wildgoose) ('Mother Goose of Oxford')

by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published July 1807
NPG D13432

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