Mezzotint-engraving and etching after Joseph Wright (1734-1797). 'Miravan' The scene from 'An History, Miravan, a young Nobleman of Ingria, Breaking Open the Tomb of his Ancestors in Search of Wealth' The subject of this dramatic painting was drawn from John Gilbert Cooper’s Letters Concerning Taste (1771), a contemporary book of stories which related to the judgement of beauty and utility in the arts. Wright transcribed the story of Miravan into his account book, using it as a point of reference for the completion of his picture: “There dwelt a young Nobleman…named Miravan, who was blessed with health, wit, and beauty…which for some years he enjoy’d with the most uninterrupted satisfaction, till one day walking among the tombs of his ancestors, he observ’d upon one of them the following inscription almost erased by time; ‘in this tomb is a greater treasure than Croesus ever possessed.’ Inflamed…with the very lust of avarice, he caused the pond’rous and marble jaws of his ancestor’s sepulchre to be opened…he was struck speechless with disappointment to behold nothing but a heap of bones…with this inscription: Here would have dwelt eternal repose a treasure which Croesus never possessed which thou hast driven hence being excited by an insatiable love of gold.” Bottom left hand corner 'Jos Wright Pinxit', bottom centre 'Published Decem 18th 1772 by J Boydell, Cheapside', bottom right hand corner 'V Green fecit'; condition : very good - some surface scratches and fade mark along lower edge; sheet height 51.5mm sheet width 62mm, plate height 50.7mm plate width 36mm, image height 46.2mm image width 35.7mm; 'Miravan at the Tomb of his Ancestors'. Made by Valentine Green (1739-1813). Mezzotint-engraving and etching. Paper

Exhibitions:

Title: Wright of Derby: From the Shadows
Venue: National Gallery
Dates: from 07/11/2025 to 01/11/2026

Publications

Title: Wright of Derby
Published Place: London
Copyright: The Tate Gallery
Published Year: 1990
Title: Catalogue of the Engraved Works of Joseph Wright, A.R.A., "Wright of Derby"

Related People

John Boydell (publisher)
Display Date: British, 1720 - 1804
Nationality: British
Valentine Green (engraver)
Display Date: British, 1739 - 1813
Nationality: British
Joseph Wright of Derby (Artist)
Display Date: British, 1734 - 1797
Nationality: British
Biography: Artist.

Miravan

Date: 1772

Medium: Mezzotint-engraving and etching.

Object Type:	Print
Dimensions:	Support: 515 × 363 mm (20 1/4 × 14 5/16 in.)
Description:	According to Williamson's and Clayton's catalogues, this is a Second State impression.
Inscriptions:	Recto, below image, from left to right: ‘Jos Wright Pinxit / Published Decem 18th 1772 by J Boydell, Cheapside / V Green fecit’.
Provenance:	...; Frank Cooper, Borough of Derby Accountant, from whom purchased by Derby Museums in 1920.
Viewing Status:	Contact Us
Item Ref:	1920-807