Study of a man, called Charles Knowles; wearing a breast plate and sword, leaning on a canon, his right hand holding a baton. He wears a wig tied at the nape of his neck and looks out towards the viewer. A rocky outcrop rises up behind him, to the right. Made by Joseph Wright of Derby (1734 - 1797). Black and white chalk on buff grey prepared paper, in a cream window mount.

Exhibitions:

Title: Joseph Wright of Derby, 1734-1797: Bicentenary Exhibition
Venue: Derby Museum and Art Gallery
Dates: from 21/06/1997 to 28/09/1997

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

Related People

Joseph Wright of Derby (Artist)
Display Date: British, 1734 - 1797
Nationality: British
Biography: Artist.
Sir Charles Knowles (Content)
Display Date: British, died 1777
Nationality: British
Thomas Hudson (After)
Display Date: British, 1701 - 1779
Nationality: British

Recto: Study of Charles Knowles, after Thomas Hudson

Date: c. 1751

Medium: black and white chalk on buff grey prepared paper

Object Type:	drawing
Dimensions:	Support: 362 × 267 mm (14 1/4 × 10 1/2 in.)
Description:	Source of study previously unknown, but clearly taken from Thomas Hudson's portrait of Sir Charles Knowles, or John Faber Junior's mezzotint after it (1755-56). It is not clear which, although determining this might help in ascertaining a closer date for Wright's study. There are some similarities between this study and Wright's later portrait of Colonel Edward Sacheverell Pole of Radbourne (1772), notably the presence of a canon partly obscured by drapery. Identified by Lucy Bamford in 2022.
Provenance:	Purchased from David Posnett, Leger Galleries Ltd., 1996.
Viewing Status:	Contact Us
Item Ref:	1996-1/20A