Painting of a landscape, by night, identified as 'Virgil's Tomb' near Posillipo, Italy. The 'tomb' occupies the left half of the canvas, and comprises a mound of rock and masonry with an arched opening and chamber below. To the right, a set of stone steps wind upwards towards a distant building. The moon appears between brightly illuminated clouds. Inscribed to recto: 'I. W. 1782'. Painted by Joseph Wright of Derby (1734 - 1797). Oil on canvas in gilded frame. Glazed.

Exhibitions:

  • Title: Pictures Painted by Joseph Wright, of Derby
    Venue: Mr Robins' Rooms, London
    Dates: from 16/04/1785 to 16/04/1785
  • 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: Landscape Exhibition
    Venue: Derby Museum and Art Gallery
    Dates: from 21/05/1994 to 26/06/1994
  • Title: Der Mond/The Moon
    Venue: Wallraff-Richartz-Museum, Koln
    Dates: from 26/03/2009 to 16/08/2009
  • Title: The Moon, 'Houston, tranquility Base here, The Eagle has landed'
    Venue: The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
    Dates: from 26/09/2009 to 16/01/2010
  • Title: Joseph Wright and the Lure of Italy
    Venue: Derby Museum and Art Gallery
    Dates: from 18/03/2016 to 12/06/2016

Publications

  • Title: Joseph Wright of Derby: Painter of Light
    Sub-Title: Volume 1
    Volume: 1
    Published Place: London
    Copyright: Benedict Nicolson, 1968
    Published Year: 1968
  • Title: Romanticism in the North - From Friedrich to Turner
    Published Place: Groningen
    Copyright: WBOOKS/Groninger Museum
    Published Year: 2017

Related People

  • Joseph Wright of Derby (Artist)

    Display Date: British, 1734 - 1797

    Nationality: British

    Biography: Artist.

Virgil's Tomb, by Moonlight

Date: 1782

Medium: Oil on canvas

Object Type:Painting
Dimensions:Frame: 1207 × 1496 × 70 mm (47 1/2 × 58 7/8 × 2 3/4 in.) Support: 1016 × 1270 mm (40 × 50 in.)
Description:Joseph Wright (1734 - 1797) Virgil’s Tomb, by Moonlight 1782 Oil on canvas Among the popular tourist destinations of Naples was the supposed tomb of the classical poet Virgil (70 - 19 BC). Sitting on a hillside above Posillipo, it offered impressive views across the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius, as well as a link to an ancient past. Wright is known to have painted six different versions of this view following his return to England in 1775. Of all of them, this is perhaps his most evocative; an otherwise quiet scene, surfaces appear to shimmer beneath the silver light of the moon. This painting may be that given to his friend, the sentimental poet William Hayley (1745 - 1820).; The reputed tomb of the classical poet Virgil, (died 19 BC), set on the hillside above the Grotto of Posillipo in Naples became a required stopping place in Naples for those engaged on the Grand Tour, and therefore a popular (and lucrative) subject for artists. Wright is believed to have painted six different versions of the scene.; Virgil's tomb
Inscriptions:'I. W. 1782' recto, lower centre.
Viewing Status:Contact Us
Item Ref:1981-68
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