Engraving after Joseph Wright of Derby (1734 - 1797); 'The Hermit'. Painting of a man in a nocturnal landscape, studying a human skeleton by the light of an oil lamp. He sits within a cave, wearing a brown robe tied at the waist, surrounded by emblems of mortality, including animal bones and an hour glass. To his right, two young men, wearing cockle shells in their hats, move towards him with cautious steps. Inscribed: bottom right 'Jos. Wright Pinx' bottom left 'W. Pether Fecit' middle centre 'Published May 14th 1770 & Sold by W. Pether in G. Russel St, Bloomsbury' scratched in pencil. Made by William Pether (1738-1821). Mezzontint and etching. Paper.

Exhibitions:

Title: Wright of Derby
Venue: Tate Gallery
Dates: from 16/04/1990 to 16/04/1990
Title: Joseph Wright of Derby in Liverpool
Venue: Walker Art Gallery
Dates: from 17/11/2007 to 24/02/2008
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

Joseph Wright of Derby (Artist)
Display Date: British, 1734 - 1797
Nationality: British
Biography: Artist.
William Pether (Artist)
Display Date: 1738 - 1821

The Hermit

Date: 1770

Medium: Mezzotint engraving and etching.

Object Type:	Print
Dimensions:	Support: 605 × 480 mm (23 13/16 × 18 7/8 in.)
Description:	According to Williamson's and Clayton's catalogues, this is a first state impression.
Inscriptions:	Recto, below image, from left to right: 'W. Pether Fecit / Published May 14th 1770 & Sold by W. Pether in G. Russel St, Bloomsbury (scratched in pencil) / Jos. Wright Pinx'.
Provenance:	...; purchased from Robert Ward & Son of Derby by Derby Museums, 1923.
Viewing Status:	Contact Us
Item Ref:	1923-909