Drawing of two figures, the upper one being a child seated with a bird, the lower being a woman seated with a vessel in her lap. The latter identified as a study of the Hellenistic sculpture known as the 'Drunk Old Woman', in the Capitoline Museums, Rome. Inscribed on recto, to top right (handwritten in ink): '247' and to left of this (handwritten in pencil): 'Caple'. Made by Joseph Wright of Derby (1734 - 1797), 1774. Pencil and charcoal 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

Related People

  • Joseph Wright of Derby (Artist)

    Display Date: British, 1734 - 1797

    Nationality: British

    Biography: Artist.

Study of Two Figures in the Capitoline Museums, after the Antique

Date: c. 1774-1775

Medium: Pencil and charcoal on paper.

Object Type:Drawing
Dimensions:Support: 422 × 260 mm (16 5/8 × 10 1/4 in.)
Description:The source of the top figure, showing a child with a bird, is unidentified but may be from a low relief or sculpture in the Capitoline Museums, as per the insciption at top right. The source of the bottom figure is an Hellenistic sculpture in the Capitoline Museums known as the 'Drunk Old Woman' (inventory number MC0299). As Jane Wallis has noted (see Wallis, J. 'Joseph Wright of Derby' (Derby, 1997), p.92) Wright made another, more highly detailed, study of the 'Drunk Old Woman' on page 25r of his 1774 sketchbook, with the inscription 'Caple Rome April 1(?) / 1774' (now in the collection of the British Museum, accession no. 1939,0814.1.1-46). [LB: 2024]
Inscriptions:Inscribed on recto, to top right (handwritten in ink): '247' and to left of this (handwritten in pencil): 'Caple'.
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:1914-517/51
Browse Collection
Browse Collection