Richard Dighton (1795-1880)
A View from Merton College (1808)

Hand coloured engraving
28 x 22 cm

Richard Dighton (1795–1880) was a prominent English artist and caricaturist, best known for his elegant profile portraits of early 19th-century society figures. The son of caricaturist Robert Dighton, he developed a distinctive style that balanced satire with sophistication, moving away from the exaggerated grotesquery of earlier caricatures. His finely drawn etchings and later lithographs and watercolours captured the refined yet often pompous airs of Regency London’s fashionable elite—politicians, lawyers, military men, and dandies alike. With clean lines, elongated forms, and a sharp eye for personality, Dighton’s work offers a witty yet insightful glimpse into the characters of his time. His legacy lived on through his sons, who continued in the family’s artistic tradition.

This engraving captures the quirky elegance of an Oxford academic in Dighton’s signature caricature style. The tall, gaunt figure is shown in profile, dressed in flowing academic robes and a square cap, with exaggerated features and a solemn, slightly comic expression. Set against a minimal background, the figure stands out as a gently satirical yet respectful portrait of university life in the early 19th century.

Condition: Generally very good.

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