This is one of a set of 12 allegorical representations of The Months, produced c.1785, showing women occupied indoors or in the country, and wearing costumes appropriate to each month. A set of mezzotints by Carrington Bowles was published after these watercolours c.1790. Dighton was a colourful character, well known as a caricaturist but also remembered as an actor, drawing master and printseller and, somewhat notoriously, for stealing prints from the British Museum.
Physical description
Image of a standing woman, in late 18th c. dress, facing left, outdoors and in outdoor dress (elaborate hat, parasol, gloves). Her head is inclined toward a nosegay which she holds up in her right hand. Her left hand, at her side, holds a closed parasol. The end of a balustrade, on which stands a potted polyanthus, can be seen to the left of the image. In the background is a landscape of parkland, with trees on the horizon line. The palette is mainly blues, greens and browns.
Place of Origin
England, Great Britain (painted)
Date
c.1785 (made)
Artist/maker
Deighton, born 1747 - died 1814 (artist)
Materials and Techniques
Ink, water and body-colour on paper
Dimensions
Height: 32.4 cm average, Width: 24.8 cm average
Descriptive line
Robert Dighton: April. From The Months. c.1785.
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Victoria and Albert Museum, Department of Engraving, Illustration and Design & Department of Paintings, Accessions 1947, London: HMSO, 1950.
The full text of the record is as follows:
'DIGHTON, Robert (1752-1814)
The Months. Allegorical representations (12) showing women occupied indoors or in the country, and wearing costumes appropriate to each month. c.1785.
Signed in ink Dighton del. Inscribed with the names of the months and serial numbers 526-537. E.44 inscribed in pencil to be reversed.
Ink, water- and body-colour.
E.33 - 44-1947
Note: A set of mezzotints by W. Belch after these designs was published by Carington Bowles, c.1790.'
Production Note
One of a set of 12 allegorical representations of The Months.
Materials
Pen and ink and watercolour; Body colour
Techniques
Watercolour
Subjects depicted
Woman
Categories
Personal accessories; Clothing; Illustration; Drawings; Fashion; Accessories; Hats & headwear; Day wear; Fashion plates
Collection code
PDP
