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.
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
Related People
- Denis Dighton (son)
- Joshua Dighton (grandson)
- Richard Dighton (son)
- Robert Dighton Jr (son)
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