Westminster Election Scene Outside St. Paul's

The artist Robert Dighton, known for his humorous images of daily life, has here depicted a scene outside St. Paul's Church in Covent Garden, during the Westminster Election of 1796.

The Westminster Election was a topical subject for satirical artists like Dighton and his predecessor William Hogarth. In this drawing - one of several by Dighton of the election - the heaving crowds who have turned out to vote are carefully rendered. The artist himself can be seen in profile on the far right of the composition.

Women canvassers, wearing election favours on their bonnets and carrying pamphlets, stand out from the sea of men, the majority of whom are well-dressed. It is probably the poll on the last day, 13 June, and the main participants can be identified in Dighton's drawing.

The candidates for the 1796 election were politicians John Horne Tooke, Admiral Sir Alan Garner and Charles James Fox, who can be seen standing above the crowd in the foreground. The poll lasted 15 days and the final votes were Tooke (2819), Gardner (4814) and Fox (5160). The latter two were both elected and Fox, in particular, was a dominant political figure during the second half of the 18th century.

After studying at the Royal Academy Schools, Dighton set up a practice as a drawing-master and established his reputation as a portrait artist. He later became well-known for his caricatures which satirised recognisable society 'types' and figures, including leading politicians.