Study of a portrait of Dr William King, after Thomas Hudson; in a feigned oval, his head turned to the right, wearing a coat and waistcoat, with a cocked hat under his left arm. Inscribed on the verso: 'brownish purple top coat light brown coat, buttons the same'. Made by Joseph Wright of Derby (1734 - 1797), after Thomas Hudson (1701-1779), c. 1757-1760. Black and white chalk on buff paper, in 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.
Dr William King (Content)
Display Date: 1685 - 1763
Nationality: British
Biography: Academic; writer. Principal of St Mary Hall, Oxford and Jacobite sympathiser.
Thomas Hudson (After)
Display Date: British, 1701 - 1779
Nationality: British

Recto: Study of a Portrait of Dr William King, after Thomas Hudson

Date: c. 1757-1760

Medium: Black and white chalk on buff paper.

Object Type:	Drawing
Dimensions:	Support: 314 × 273 mm (12 3/8 × 10 3/4 in.)
Description:	Leger Galleries identified this study as having been based on Thomas Hudson's portrait of Dr William King (DM archives, 1996), c.1760. This portrait was reproduced in mezzotint by James McArdell and published in 1760. The colour notes on the verso, in Wright's hand, demonstrate that he was working from Hudson's painting rather than the print. We may therefore presume that Wright made the study prior to leaving Hudson's studio in 1757, which would suggest an earlier date for Hudson's picture than c.1760; the date that has been traditionally ascribed to it. I have given the study a date of c.1757-1760 to reflect this. [LB: 2024].
Inscriptions:	Inscribed on the verso: 'brownish purple top coat light brown coat, buttons the same'.
Provenance:	Purchased from David Posnett, Leger Galleries Ltd., 1995.
Viewing Status:	Contact Us
Item Ref:	1996-1/30A