Drawing of a tree. The trunk curves out to the right and branch reaches out to the left. Inscribed on verso (handwritten in pencil): 'Joseph Wright of Derby' and '2' (William Bemrose's hand). Made by Joseph Wright of Derby (1734 - 1797), c. 1786 - 1790. Pencil and ink wash on paper. Displayed in a cream window mount.

Exhibitions:

  • 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 Tree

Date: c.1786-1790

Medium: Pencil, charcoal and ink on paper.

Object Type:Drawing
Dimensions:Support: 245 × 165 mm (9 5/8 × 6 1/2 in.)
Description:Jane Wallis noted the similarity of this tree, along with other tree studies by Wright in the DM collection, with those of Alexander Cozens (1717 - 1786). Indeed, the 'blot' technique advocated by Cozens in his 1759 'Essay' and 1785-6 'New Method' was applicable to trees, and it is to this that Wright's tree studies may be connected. Cozens later also published 'The Shape Skeleton and Foliage of Thirty Two Species of Trees' (1771), but the present tree study does not appear to be a study after any of the illustrations included in that publication. [LB: 2024]
Inscriptions:Inscribed on verso (handwritten in pencil): 'Joseph Wright of Derby' and '2' (William Bemrose's hand).
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:1914-517/49