Study of a woman, head and torso only, in a feigned oval, her body turned to the right, her face forward, her left hand raised. Her face lacks detail, just a few bare guidelines and the outline of a nose, eyebrows, and mouth. Greater detail has been lavished on her costume, which appears Van Dyck-like in style, including a puffed and scalloped sleeve, decorated with rows of pearls. She is surrounded by a silk or gauze drape. Inscribed below, 'Blew Sattin & yell [crossed through] Red Gauze'. Made by Joseph Wright of Derby (1734 - 1797). Black and white chalk on blue 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.
Thomas Hudson (After)
Display Date: British, 1701 - 1779
Nationality: British

Study of a Woman, after Thomas Hudson

Date: c. 1755-7

Medium: Black and white chalk on blue paper.

Object Type:	Drawing
Dimensions:	Support: 292 × 229 mm (11 1/2 × 9 in.)
Description:	In their early cataloguing notes for this study, Leger Galleries (1996) conclulded that it was a preparatory study for Wright's portrait of Elizabeth Wright (sold Christie's, 25 Feb 1949, lot 112, though unidentified; with Newhouse Galleries Inc. Feb 1950, who identified the sitter as Elizabeth Wright; now private collection, Pittsburgh). However, the study differs from the finished painting in a number of details, including the raised hand. Indeed, it seems more likely that the study was based on a painting by Thomas Hudson, and made in his studio, close examples including Anne, Countess of Northamptonshire (Laing Art Gallery), and Margaret Chudleigh, 1756 (Royal Museum and Art Gallery, Canterbury). Note however that none of the above are direct matches, and do not follow the colour notes made on the study. The study appears to have been used as the basis for several portraits of young women by Wright, including Miss Jane Monck, 1760 (Laing Art Gallery), and Miss Elizabeth Wright (see above) (LB, 2022).
Inscriptions:	'Blew Sattin & yell [crossed through] Red Gauze', lower left.
Provenance:	Purchased from David Posnett, Leger Galleries Ltd., 1996.
Viewing Status:	Contact Us
Item Ref:	1996-1/33