Drawing of two female figures. A figure on the left leans her arm on a pedestal or wall, and holds a book in her hand. To the right, a second figure leans forward on what may be a balcony rail and looks down. Beneath the figures is a fold in the paper, and the remaining sheet is torn off. Inscribed below fold line, and partly obliterated by the tear (handwritten in pencil): 'Here dwelt perpetual[word perpetual crossed through] / a Treasure [illegible] / greater Go Fool'. Made by Joseph Wright of Derby (1734-1797), c.1770-1772. Pencil and ink on paper. Displayed in a cream window mount.

Exhibitions:

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: Joseph Wright of Derby, 1734-1797: Bicentenary Exhibition
Venue: Derby Museum and Art Gallery
Dates: from 21/06/1997 to 28/09/1997

Publications

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

Related People

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

Study of Two Female Figures

Date: 1770-1772

Medium: Pen and ink and ink wash, over pencil on cream laid paper.

Object Type:	Drawing
Dimensions:	Support: 330 × 241 mm (13 × 9 1/2 in.)
Description:	Study of two females in pen and ink. One figure appears to be demurely looking down over a balcony with her clasped hands resting on the railings. The second figure, however, seems to be on solid ground resting her arm, clasping a book on a stone pillar. On a torn section of the sheet below the figure studies in Wright's handwriting is written, 'Here dwelt [perpetual] (crossed though) a Treasure greater Go. Fool'. This inscription relates to the subject of Wright's oil painting, 'Miravan', 1772 which shows a young nobleman breaking open the tomb of his ancestor in search of treasure (a similar, longer inscription is found transcribed in Wright's account book). [JW: 1997]
Inscriptions:	Inscribed below fold line, and partly obliterated by the tear (handwritten in pencil): 'Here dwelt perpetual[word perpetual crossed through] / a Treasure [illegible] / greater Go Fool'.
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:	1914-517/14