Via de blog Georgian gentlemen van Mike Rendell kwam ik het werk tegen van de achttiende-eeuwse portretschilder en illustrator Robert Dighton (1752-1814). De National Portrait Gallery bezit 270 portretten van zijn hand. Voor het jaar 1784 illustreerde hij een kalender met twaalf goed geklede dames. Het duurde zeker nog honderd kalenders voordat in 1889 de eerste calendar girl zich presenteerde. In de loop van de twintigste eeuw zouden zij uit de kleren gaan. Ondenkbaar in 1784!
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.
Bron: en.wikipedia.org
