Dighton, Richard
Gender:
Male
Date and place of birth:
1792
Date and place of death:
1880
Worked:
(fl) 19th century
Known places of work:
Unknown
Known techniques:
Painted on card
Known materials:
Card
Frames:
Oval gilt
Signature:
Recorded
Introduction:
Richard Dighton was an artist active in the 19th century. He began his career as a caricaturist but was painting profiles by the 1860s.
Very little biographical detail is known about Dighton. However, it is believed that he was one of the sons of a Robert Dighton, an artist exhibited at the Royal Academy and the Free Society in the late 18th century. After working as a caricaturist for most of his life, Richard Dighton began painting profiles around the middle of the 19th century. His motivations for this career change are unknown. Three examples of his silhouette work are in existence, all framed in oval gilt frames and bearing a signature but no trade label.
Dighton’s work is of average ability and in a rather typical style for the period. All figures in the known portraits are represented standing. He used standard techniques for highlighting; gold paint and a sepia wash. His signature appears near the foot – a characteristic which may be used to identify pieces in the future.
Additional research about Richard Dighton:
Source: McKechnie (Author of, British Silhouette Artists and their Work 1760-1860)
Dighton, Richard (McKechnie Section 2)