Drawing of a fragment of a frieze, possibly part of the Ara Pacis Augusta (Latin: Altar of Augustan Peace). Inscribed to top right (handwritten in pencil): 'J.W. Rome - 74' and beneath that (handwritten in ink) '12'. Made by Joseph Wright of Derby (1734-1797), 1774. Pen and ink and grey ink wash over pencil on paper. Presented in 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: Wright in Italy. Joseph Wright of Derby's Visit Abroad, 1773-5
    Venue: Fraser, David
    Dates: from 08/08/1987 to 20/09/1987
  • Title: Drawings by Joseph Wright of Derby
    Venue: Derby Museum and Art Gallery
    Dates: from 31/03/1990 to 22/04/1990
  • 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: A Sentimental Journey: Joseph Wright in Italy, 1773-1775
    Venue: Pickford's House Museum
    Dates: from 01/06/2010 to 05/09/2010
  • Title: Joseph Wright of Derby: Life on Paper
    Venue: Derby Museum and Art Gallery
    Dates: from 23/05/2025 to 07/09/2025

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: Wright in Italy
    Sub-Title: Joseph Wright of Derby's Visit Abroad, 1773-5
    Published Place: Sudbury
    Published Year: 1987

Related People

  • Joseph Wright of Derby (Artist)

    Display Date: British, 1734 - 1797

    Nationality: British

    Biography: Artist.

Study of a fragment of carved relief, after the Antique (possibly the Ara Pacis Augusta)

Date: 1774

Medium: Pen, ink, and grey ink wash, over pencil on paper.

Object Type:drawing
Dimensions:Support: 384 × 337 mm (15 1/8 × 13 1/4 in.)
Description:In his catalogue for Wright in Italy exhibition of 1987, David Fraser noted that the drawing was inscribed on the verso 'Mr. Wright of Derby. Bought at Philips Sale, Manchester', and probably came from the collection of Wright's patron and friend, John Leigh Philips. His collection was sold in 1814. This inscription could not be seen at the time of the Joseph Wright of Derby exhibition at Derby in 1997. In the catalogue entry for the work in that show, George Baker noted that the inscription appeared to have been lost. He also suggested that the subject was probably a fragment of the Ara Pacis Augusta (see page 99, cat. 200). [LB: 2024] Signed 'J.W. Rome 74', numbered '12' and was inscribed on the reverse 'Mr Wright of Derby. Bought at Philip's Sale, Manchester; probably a fragment of the Ara Pacis Augusta. The inscription on reverse appears to have been lost. The Christie's sale catalogue, 8.6.1976 (lot 11) states, inscribed on reverse 'Mr Wright of Derby - bought at the Phillips sale Manchester' - the 1987 catalogue, 'Wright in Italy' Gainsboro's House 8th Aug - 20th September - also gives the same details. [George Baker in 'Joseph Wright of Derby' (1997), p.99.] The Ara Pacis Augusta (Latin, "Altar of Augustan Peace"). The altar is enclosed within walls. The fragment appears to match the surviving frieze seen on the interior walls of the altar precinct: ‘The interior of the precinct walls are carved with bucrania, ox skulls, from which carved garlands hang. The garlands bear fruits from various types of plants, all displayed on a single garland as allegorical representations of plenty and abundance. The bucrania in turn evoke the idea of sacrificial piety, appropriate motifs for the interior of the altar precinct.’ [Wikipedia] In 1568, the first fragmentary sculptures were rediscovered beneath Palazzo Peretti in Lucina (a.k.a. Palazzo Fano-Almagià), right next to the basilica San Lorenzo in Lucina, close to "Via del Corso", and have found their way to the Villa Medici, the Vatican, the Uffizi and the Louvre. [Wikipedia] Not clear where Wright saw it – possibly at the Vatican museums?
Inscriptions:Inscribed to top right (handwritten in pencil): 'J.W. Rome - 74' and beneath that (handwritten in ink) '12'.
Provenance:...; sale of John Leigh Philips, Manchester 1814; ...; Christie's sale on 8 June 1976 (lot 11), from which purchased by Derby Museums in 1976.
Viewing Status:Contact Us
Item Ref:1976-443
Browse Collection
Browse Collection