Standing Proud

The Dighton family produced several artists over three generations. Like his father Robert, Richard Dighton (1796-1880) specialised in full-length watercolour profiles of city personalities, actors, politicians, bankers and aristocrats. The sitters of his portraits were predominantly men and provide an excellent record of the changing fashions of the time. He initially lived and worked in London but in 1828, by then a married man with a growing family, Richard Dighton moved to Cheltenham where he was guaranteed a good clientele from visitors to this popular spa town.

This profile showing a gentleman standing behind a chair is typical of Dighton’s work. The facial details, including the crow’s feet and the double chin, are noteworthy as is the attention paid to detailing all the creases in his coat and trousers.

The portrait is signed bottom right ‘Richd Dighton / Worcester 1831’. It is housed in a handsome flat profile bird’s eye maple veneer frame with a gilt slip. Although the colours remain strong, the watercolour has incurred some scattered light foxing as is well reflected in the asking price. An acid-free barrier card has now been inserted behind the watercolour to prevent further foxing.