Drawing of a semi-nude male figure, who has the legs of a cloven-hoofed animal, identified as a 'Reclining Satyr', or 'Satyr with a skin of wine', after the Antique. The satyr has a skin of wine and is throwing his head back about to drink from a shallow cup in his hand. The bottom of the sheet has been trimmed and is torn at top centre. Made by Joseph Wright of Derby (1734-1797), 1774. Pen and ink over pencil 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: 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: Drawings by Joseph Wright of Derby
    Venue: Derby Museum and Art Gallery
    Dates: from 31/03/1990 to 22/04/1990
  • 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
  • Title: Joseph Wright of Derby: Painter of Light
    Sub-Title: Volume 1
    Volume: 1
    Published Place: London
    Copyright: Benedict Nicolson, 1968
    Published Year: 1968

Related People

  • Joseph Wright of Derby (Artist)

    Display Date: British, 1734 - 1797

    Nationality: British

    Biography: Artist.

Study of a 'Reclining Satyr', after the Antique

Date: 1774

Medium: Pen and ink on paper.

Object Type:Drawing
Dimensions:Support: 292 × 540 mm (11 1/2 × 21 1/4 in.)
Description:Nicolson says that this drawing was done in Rome, and is not the satyr in Naples mentioned in Wright's journal (see Bemrose 1888, p.38) 'There is a satyr lying on a skin of wine, snapping his thumb and finger, the expression very good....' (see Nicolson p.11, note 1). [JW: 1997]
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:1914-517/19
Browse Collection
Browse Collection