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.
William Jackson ('A jack in office')
by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 4 January 1793
NPG D10872
The First Day of Term - or, The Devil among the Lawyers
published by Bowles & Carver, after Robert Dighton
hand-coloured mezzotint, 1793 or after
NPG D47045
A Country Attorney and his Clients. Avocat de la Campagne avec ses Clients
published by Bowles & Carver, possibly after Robert Dighton
hand-coloured mezzotint, 1793 or after
NPG D47054
after Robert Dighton
mezzotint, 1793 or after
NPG D1894
King George IV when Prince of Wales
after Robert Dighton
mezzotint, 1793 or after
NPG D8047
'Vil you give us a glass of gin. I'll see you d--n'd first'
by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 4 January 1793
NPG D13312
James Christie ('The specious orator')
by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 25 March 1794
NPG D10684
Stephen Kemble ('Hamlet in Scotland')
by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 6 December 1794
NPG D10685
published by Bowles & Carver, after Robert Dighton
mezzotint, published 17 February 1794
NPG D47050
Stephen Kemble ('Hamlet in Scotland')
by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 6 December 1794
NPG D13335
Stephen Kemble ('Hamlet in Scotland')
by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 6 December 1794
NPG D13401
James Christie ('The specious orator')
by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 25 March 1794
NPG D13402
by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, circa 1795
NPG D9060
Allan Maconochie, Lord Meadowbank
by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, circa 1795-1816
NPG D32611
by and published by Robert Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 6 November 1795
NPG D9306
by Robert Dighton
etching, published 1795
NPG D10956
published by Bowles & Carver, possibly after Robert Dighton
hand-coloured mezzotint, published 1 September 1795
NPG D47156
A Puppy's Dress in the Dog Days
published by Bowles & Carver, after Robert Dighton
hand-coloured mezzotint, published 29 September 1795
NPG D47157
published by Bowles & Carver, after Robert Dighton
hand-coloured mezzotint, published 9 November 1795
NPG D47158
![Quarrelsome Taylors [Tailors], or Two of a Trade Seldom Agree, published by Bowles & Carver, after Robert Dighton - NPG D47051](https://collectionimages.npg.org.uk/std/mw285763/Quarrelsome-Taylors-Tailors-or-Two-of-a-Trade-Seldom-Agree.jpg)
Quarrelsome Taylors [Tailors], or Two of a Trade Seldom Agree
published by Bowles & Carver, after Robert Dighton
hand-coloured mezzotint, published 2 January 1795
NPG D47051
Related People
- Denis Dighton (son)
- Joshua Dighton (grandson)
- Richard Dighton (son)
- Robert Dighton Jr (son)
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