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 the article "DUNKARTON, Robert" in Bryan's Dictionary of Painters and Engravers by Michael Bryan, edited by Robert Edmund Graves and Sir Walter Armstrong, an 1886–1889 publication now in the public domain.