Title: Pictures by Joseph Wright of Derby
Venue: Graves Art Gallery
Dates: from 17/07/1950 to 27/07/1950
Title: Joseph Wright of Derby: An Exhibition to Commemorate the Centenary of Derby Museums and Art Gallery
Venue: Derby Museum and Art Gallery
Dates: from 21/04/1979 to 21/07/1979
Title: Wright in Italy. Joseph Wright of Derby's Visit Abroad, 1773-5
Venue: Fraser, David
Dates: from 08/08/1987 to 20/09/1987
Title: Joseph Wright of Derby, 1734-1797: Bicentenary Exhibition
Venue: Derby Museum and Art Gallery
Dates: from 21/06/1997 to 28/09/1997
Title: Joseph Wright of Derby: Life on Paper
Venue: Derby Museum and Art Gallery
Dates: from 23/05/2025 to 07/09/2025

Title: Joseph Wright of Derby 1734 - 1797
Sub-Title: An introduction to the work of Joseph Wright of Derby with a catalogue of drawings held by Derby Museum and Art Gallery. Published on the occasion of an exhibition commemorating the Bicentenary of the artist's death.
Published Place: Derby
Published Year: 1997
Title: Wright in Italy
Sub-Title: Joseph Wright of Derby's Visit Abroad, 1773-5
Published Place: Sudbury
Published Year: 1987

Joseph Wright of Derby (Artist)
Display Date: British, 1734 - 1797
Nationality: British
Biography: Artist.

Study of an Italian Landscape, 'Villa Molena'

Date: 5.6.1775

Medium: Pencil on paper.

Object Type:	Drawing
Dimensions:	Support: 295 × 445 mm (11 5/8 × 17 1/2 in.)
Description:	'This unfinished view of the 'Villa Molena' and a panoramic view over the surrounding landscape dated 'June 5th 75' was one of the very last drawings Wright undertook in the Rome area. He begins his letter to his sister Nancy on May 4th 1775 by saying he should have left Rome for Florence, but 'like all other artists that come here, who much outstay their intended time, and at last leave the noble and renowned city (Rome) with reluctance.' But later on June 7th he adds that he should have finished and sent this letter, but 'again had inflamed eyes and have been much indisposed with sore throats and colds' - adding 'when I consider my health only, and the many indispositions I have had here, I am not sorry we are to leave on Sunday 10th June.' [see Wallis, J. 'Joseph Wright of Derby 1734 - 1797: An introduction to the work of Joseph Wright of Derby with a catalogue of drawings held by Derby Museum and Art Gallery' (Derby, 1997), p.73.]
Inscriptions:	Inscribed on recto, to top left (handwritten in ink): '42' and to top right (handwritten in pencil): 'Villa Molena / June 5 - 75'.
Provenance:	...; William Bemrose of Derby; by descent to his son, Charles Lloyd Bemrose, by whom donated to Derby Museums in 1914.
Viewing Status:	Contact Us
Item Ref:	1914-517/6