Drawing of two nude male figures, one brandishing two torches, identified as a study of a cast of a Roman sculpture of 'Castor and Pollux'. The figures where laurels in their hair. The figure on the right holds a torch on his shoulder and places another, flaming, torch to an altar decorated with floral wreaths. The left figure leans on the right figure and his face is turned downwards. Inscribed on recto, to bottom right (handwritten in ink): 'French Acady. 31 March / 75' and on capitol (handwritten in ink): 'Castor & Pollux - '. Made by Joseph Wright of Derby (1734-1797), 1775. Pen and ink over pencil 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 'Castor and Pollux', after the Antique

Date: 31.3.1775

Medium: Pen and ink over pencil on paper.

Object Type:	Drawing
Dimensions:	Support: 521 × 381 mm (20 1/2 × 15 in.)
Description:	As the inscription on the sheet reveals, Wright made this study at the French Academy where he would have had access to a copy or cast of the original Roman sculpture, which at the time of his visit to Italy was at the Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso in Spain. It is now in the collection of the Prado in Madrid. The original sculpture includes a small altar surmounted by a female figure, usually interpreted as a statue of a female divinity. This altar and figure is missing from Wright's study. It is unclear whether he chose to omit this detail or whether the copy or cast he was working from did not include it. [LB: 2024]
Inscriptions:	Inscribed on recto, to bottom right (handwritten in ink): 'French Acady. 31 March / 75' and on capitol (handwritten in ink): 'Castor & Pollux - '.
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:	1914-517/55