Richard Dighton was an accomplished British portrait painter, etcher and caricaturist working predominantly in watercolours. Primarily known for his witty portrayals during the Regency and early Victorian periods, his style is regarded as a precursor to the iconic Vanity Fair profile portraits of the late 19th century. His father, Robert, worked in a similar way and presumably taught him. His sons, Richard and Joshua, also became artists.

Examples of his work can be found in numerous public collections including the Royal Collection Trust, The Met, The Wilson in Cheltenham, British Museum, and the V&A.

Public Collections

Royal Collection Trust, The Met, The Wilson in Cheltenham, British Museum, V&A, Worcester City Art Gallery, The Courtauld, Worcester Gallery & Museum, Royal Holloway University of London, The Huntington, Library of Congress, Royal Museums Greenwich, Science Museum, Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Timeline

1796

Born in London to Robert Dighton (1752-1814), an artist, and Catherine Caroline Dighton.

1815

Published his first etching.
Lived in London.

1817

Commenced his series of West End portraits. More than 100 etchings were produced over the next ten years.

1821

Married Mary Davis.

1827

Lived in Chelsea, London.

1828

Lived in Winchcomb(e) Street, Cheltenham.

1829-1832

Lived in Worcester.

1832

Lived in St Georges Place, Cheltenham.

1835

Switched focus to lithographic portraits.

1839

Lived in St Georges Place, Cheltenham.

1840

Lived in Promenade Villas, Cheltenham.

1841

Lived in Claines, Worcestershire, with his wife Mary and nine children.

1851

Lived in Belgravia, London, with his wife Mary and six children.

1870

Letter published in the Daily Telegraph regarding excessive working hours for local bus drivers.

“BUS DRIVERS HOURS. TO THE EDITOR OF THE DAILY TELEGRAPH.
SIR- Will you permit me to say a word on behalf of the drivers and conductors of the omnibuses running between Chelsea and Hoxton and Bethnal-green? I rode today in four of these omnibuses, and was informed by the conductor of the first that he was on seventeen hours every day, not leaving it until five minutes to one o'clock in the morning; the next conductor stated he was sixteen hours, and the third the same number; the fourth told me his hours were not so bad, as he was fourteen hours on his 'bus. I ride a great deal in these conveyances, and have always found the men civil, obliging men. One of them said he had not had a day's rest for ten weeks. These hours are surely severe at any season; but in this inclement weather one cannot but sympathise with the poor fellows. Should you kindly write a few words in their behalf, some relief would be afforded them, I have no doubt.

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

RICHARD DIGHTON.
King's-road, Chelsea, S. W., Dec. 23.”

1871

Lived in Chelsea, London, with his three children, stepson, three grandchildren, and a domestic assistant.

1872

Married Elizabeth Blunt in Chelsea, London, following the death of his wife, Mary, the year prior.

1880

Died in Hammersmith, London.

Obituary published in The Standard, 1880.

“DIGHTON - April 13, at his residence, Elm Grove, Hammersmith, Richard Dighton, Esq., artist, aged 84 (son of Dighton, the celebrated caricaturist). His ‘Characteristic Likenesses’ were highly valued by the aristocracy, from her Majesty downwards.”