Robert Dunkarton

Paetus and Arria, after Benjamin West, 1773

Robert Dunkarton (1744–1811), a mezzotint engraver, was born in London in 1744. He was a pupil of Pether, and painted a few portraits, some of which, as also some portraits in crayons, were exhibited at the Royal Academy and at Spring Gardens until 1779. But his greatest success was gained as a mezzotint engraver. His plates are dated from 1770 to 1811, after which year there is no record of him. He engraved in a clear, finished style several portraits and historical subjects, of which the following are the principal:

Portraits

Portrait of Thomas Arne, after Humphrey

• George, Lord Lyttelton; after West.
• Jonas Hanway; after E. Edwards.
• Dr. Arne; after W. Humphrey.
• Miss Horneck; after Sir Joshua Reynolds.
• John Elliot; after N. Dance.
• Miss Bamfylde; after W. Peters.
• James Brindley, engineer; after Francis Parsons.
• Miss Catley, in the character of Euphrosyne; after Lawronson.

Subjects after various masters

The Soldier's Widow, with William Ward, after William Redmore Bigg, 1800

• Lot and his Daughters after A. de Gelder.
• Christ and the Disciples at Emmaus; after Guercino.
• Four subjects from the Life of Joseph; after the same.

References

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Bryan, Michael (1886). "Dunkarton, Robert". In Graves, Robert Edmund. Bryan's Dictionary of Painters and Engravers (A–K). I (3rd ed.). London: George Bell & Sons.