Robert Dighton
Encyclopedia
Robert Dighton was born c.1752 in London and died there in 1814. An English portrait painter, print maker and caricaturist, he was the founder of a dynasty of artists who followed in his footsteps.
, Covent Garden and Sadler’s Wells while at the same time training and exhibiting at the Royal Academy
. He also exhibited at the Free Society of Artists
between 1769-1773. The first prints he designed were of actors for John Bell
's edition of Shakespeare (1775-6).
As an artist, he was first offered consistent employment by the publisher Carington Bowles (fl.1752-1793). This was the heyday of the so-called 'droll' mezzotint and Robert's output of designs, executed in watercolour and then engraved, was an integral part of his stock. Carington Bowles was among of the most active mapsellers of his day in London, which will explain Dighton’s caricature maps in his “Geography Bewitched” series, including Ireland, England and Wales and Scotland.
Much of Dighton's early work was issued anonymously, but by the early 1790s it became increasingly well known and he began etching and publishing under his own name. In awkward poses and with ruddy faces, Dighton's satirical caricatures included lawyers, military officers, actors and actresses who were seen about town, as well as down-at-heel types. In 1795 he brought out a Book of Heads and thenceforth devoted himself chiefly to caricature. His work is noted as being less savage than that of his contemporaries, James Gilray and George Cruickshank
.
By the start of the century, his success allowed him to open a shop in Charing Cross
, where he sold his own prints and those of others until it emerged in 1806 that part of his stock was stolen from the British Museum. An art dealer by the name of Samuel Woodburn had purchased a copy of Rembrandt's "Coach Landscape" from Dighton and, supposing it might be a copy, took the print to the British Museum to compare it with the impression there. When it was discovered that their copy was missing, Dighton confessed that he had befriended a museum official by drawing portraits of him and his daughter during his visits and used this relationship to remove prints from the museum hidden in his portfolio.
Because of his co-operation, Dighton escaped prosecution but was forced to lie low in Oxford until the scandal died down. While there he did an amusing series of portraits of academic types and country gentlemen, as well as in Bath and Cambridge. Returning to London in 1810, he reopened his studio, where he worked with his sons until his death in 1814.
Life and work
Robert Dighton was the son of the London printseller John Dighton. In the 1770s he began acting and singing in plays at the Haymarket TheatreHaymarket Theatre
The Theatre Royal Haymarket is a West End theatre in the Haymarket in the City of Westminster which dates back to 1720, making it the third-oldest London playhouse still in use...
, Covent Garden and Sadler’s Wells while at the same time training and exhibiting at the Royal Academy
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
. He also exhibited at the Free Society of Artists
Society of Artists
The Society of Artists of Great Britain was founded in London in May 1761 by an association of artists in order to provide a venue for the public exhibition of recent work by living artists, such as was having success in the long-established Paris salons....
between 1769-1773. The first prints he designed were of actors for John Bell
John Bell (publisher)
John Bell was an English publisher. The Dictionary of National Biography has Charles Knight calling Bell a "mischievous spirit, the very Puck of booksellers." His 109-volume, literature-for-the-masses Poets of Great Britain Complete from Chaucer to Churchill, which rivaled Samuel Johnson's Lives...
's edition of Shakespeare (1775-6).
As an artist, he was first offered consistent employment by the publisher Carington Bowles (fl.1752-1793). This was the heyday of the so-called 'droll' mezzotint and Robert's output of designs, executed in watercolour and then engraved, was an integral part of his stock. Carington Bowles was among of the most active mapsellers of his day in London, which will explain Dighton’s caricature maps in his “Geography Bewitched” series, including Ireland, England and Wales and Scotland.
Much of Dighton's early work was issued anonymously, but by the early 1790s it became increasingly well known and he began etching and publishing under his own name. In awkward poses and with ruddy faces, Dighton's satirical caricatures included lawyers, military officers, actors and actresses who were seen about town, as well as down-at-heel types. In 1795 he brought out a Book of Heads and thenceforth devoted himself chiefly to caricature. His work is noted as being less savage than that of his contemporaries, James Gilray and George Cruickshank
George Cruickshank
George Alexander Cruickshank was an Australian politician. Born near Dubbo, New South Wales, he attended Collegiate School in Bathurst, and was a grazier in northern New South Wales from 1878. In 1889 he was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly as the member for Inverell, a position...
.
By the start of the century, his success allowed him to open a shop in Charing Cross
Charing Cross
Charing Cross denotes the junction of Strand, Whitehall and Cockspur Street, just south of Trafalgar Square in central London, England. It is named after the now demolished Eleanor cross that stood there, in what was once the hamlet of Charing. The site of the cross is now occupied by an equestrian...
, where he sold his own prints and those of others until it emerged in 1806 that part of his stock was stolen from the British Museum. An art dealer by the name of Samuel Woodburn had purchased a copy of Rembrandt's "Coach Landscape" from Dighton and, supposing it might be a copy, took the print to the British Museum to compare it with the impression there. When it was discovered that their copy was missing, Dighton confessed that he had befriended a museum official by drawing portraits of him and his daughter during his visits and used this relationship to remove prints from the museum hidden in his portfolio.
Because of his co-operation, Dighton escaped prosecution but was forced to lie low in Oxford until the scandal died down. While there he did an amusing series of portraits of academic types and country gentlemen, as well as in Bath and Cambridge. Returning to London in 1810, he reopened his studio, where he worked with his sons until his death in 1814.
The second and third generations
- Robert junior 1786-1865 etched military portraits between 1800-09 and then made a career in the military.
- DenisDenis DightonDenis Dighton was an English painter, best known for his military portraits and battle scenes.-Life:Denis Dighton was the son of the caricaturist Robert Dighton. He studied at the Royal Academy. At the age of seventeen he received a commission in the army, through the influence of the Prince of...
1792-1827 began in the military and then trained as an artist, specialising in military subjects. - RichardRichard DightonRichard Dighton , was an English artist in the Regency period, best known for his many satirical profile portraits of contemporary London celebrities and characters....
1796?-1880. His father's apprentice, he continued his business from 1815 before moving to Cheltenham and Worcester. - Richard Dighton junior (1824-1891), Richard's elder son, later established himself as a photographer and had a studio in Cheltenham.
- Joshua Dighton (1831-1908), Richard's second son, was born in Worcester and well known for his portraits of jockeys. He was active in the London area as a portraitist and photographer.
External Links
- 270 works at the National Portrait Gallery
- Works in galleries and elsewhere online at Art Cyclopaedia
- Art Finder