Drawing of a nude male figure, facing left, in a walking motion. Identified as a study of a figure from a relief showing a 'Bacchic Procession', after the Antique. His left arm is outstretched, upon which is draped a lion skin cape. This is clasped at his right shoulder. The tail of the skin and a paw trails behind him. Inscribed in the upper right hand corner (handwritten in ink): '98'. On the verso is a study of a nude female torso, after the Antique. Made by Joseph Wright of Derby (1734 - 1797), 1774. Pen and ink over pencil on laid paper. Displayed within 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: 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.

Recto: Study of a Figure in a Bacchic Procession, after the Antique

Date: c. 1774

Medium: Pen and ink over pencil on laid paper.

Object Type:Drawing
Dimensions:Support: 533 × 356 mm (21 × 14 in.)
Description:The figure and relief are in the Museo Archaeologio Nazionale in Naples; Wright was in Naples in October 1774. View of a female nude in profile on the reverse. [Wallis, J. 'Joseph Wright of Derby' (1997), p.98.] Note that Benedict Nicolson states that the relief in Naples was not the source for this drawing. He notes that numerous versions existed, and Wright's drawing was likely to be based on a version then in Rome (but unidentified). [see Nicolson, B. 'Joseph Wright of Derby' (1968), p.58-59.]
Inscriptions:Inscribed recto, upper right (handwritten in ink): '98'.
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:1914-517/83A
Browse Collection
Browse Collection