Drawing of a landscape with a lake or river, surrounded by cliffs and high ground. Tall trees, perhaps cypresses, occupy a hill in the distance. To the left is a rock face. The outline of what may be the moon appears through the tree's branches. There is a landscape study on the verso of this sheet. Made by Joseph Wright of Derby (1734-1797), c.1780-1781, black and white chalk and wash on blue-green paper.

Exhibitions:

  • Title: Pictures by Joseph Wright of Derby
    Venue: Graves Art Gallery
    Dates: from 17/07/1950 to 27/07/1950
  • 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
  • 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.

  • Richard Wilson (Association)

    Display Date: British, died 1782

    Nationality: British

Recto: Study of a Landscape

Date: c.1780-1781

Medium: Black and white chalk and wash on blue-green paper.

Object Type:Drawing
Dimensions:Support: 181 × 229 mm (7 1/8 × 9 in.)
Description:'Although there are differences in the topography, this appears to be a study for an oil painting of 'Lake Nemi, Sunset' (c.1780-82) (Nicolson pl.237). In the finished painting Wright produced a more open vista from a higher view point.' [see Wallis, J. 'Joseph Wright of Derby' (1997), p.108.] This comparison was first made by Nicolson [see Nicolson, B. 'Joseph Wright of Derby' (1968), p.84, note 2.], who also noted that the source for the oil painting was a painting titled 'Classical Landscape' by Richard Wilson (now at Southampton Art Gallery).
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:1914-517/61A
Browse Collection
Browse Collection