Painting of a landscape, identified as Dovedale, in Derbyshire. To the left of the scene, a collection of sharp rock formations, with a more gentle rise to the right. The River Dove meanders through the centre, whilst to the right of it is a path, upon which two figures are visible. Inscribed on the recto, to lower right: 'IWP'. Made by Joseph Wright of Derby (1734-1797), c.1782-1787. Watercolour on paper, presented in a cream window mount.

Exhibitions:

  • Title: Paintings by Joseph Wright, A.R.A., commonly called "Wright of Derby", together with some Original Drawings, and a Complete Collection of Prints after his Works
    Venue: Derby Corporation Art Gallery
    Dates: from 16/04/1883 to 16/04/1883
  • Title: Joseph Wright of Derby
    Venue: Norwich Castle Museum
    Dates: from 03/01/1959 to 01/02/1959
  • 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: Landscape Exhibition
    Venue: Derby Museum and Art Gallery
    Dates: from 21/05/1994 to 26/06/1994
  • Title: Joseph Wright of Derby, 1734-1797: Bicentenary Exhibition
    Venue: Derby Museum and Art Gallery
    Dates: from 21/06/1997 to 28/09/1997
  • Title: Joseph Wright of Derby: Life on Paper
    Venue: Derby Museum and Art Gallery
    Dates: from 23/05/2025 to 07/09/2025
  • Title: Joseph Wright of Derby: An Exhibition of Paintings and Drawings Arranged by the Arts Council
    Venue: Walker Art Gallery
    Dates: from 16/04/2026 to

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.

Dovedale, Derbyshire

Date: 1782-1787

Medium: Watercolour on paper.

Object Type:Painting
Dimensions:Support: 279 × 413 mm (11 × 16 1/4 in.)
Description:A rare signed watercolour of Dovedale, Derbyshire. Although Dovedale was gaining the reputation of a tourist beauty spot by the 1780s, Wright has employed an unpolished and natural approach to the subject. Nicolson suggests this was because it was produced with no expectation of sale, and therefore no thoughts of 'gratifying contemporary taste'. Hence Wright painted what he saw in an unassuming and unadorned manner for his own personal pleasure. [JW: 1997, p.107] A watercolour painting of Dovedale was shown in the Joseph Wright exhibition at Derby Art Gallery of 1883, exhibitor given as William Bemrose (81). However, the size given in the catalogue is 13 1/2 by 11 ins. which differs slightly from the size of the support measured. It could be that the size given in the exhibition catalogue was the 'image size' rather than the paper size. Remains unclear. [LB: 2024]
Inscriptions:Inscribed on the recto, to lower right: 'IWP'.
Provenance:...; with William Bemrose in 1883; ...; acquired by Alfred Edward Goodey, by whom bequeathed to Derby Museums in 1945.
Viewing Status:Contact Us
Item Ref:1945-15/2
Browse Collection
Browse Collection