Portrait of a man, called Sir Richard Arkwright; full-length, turned slightly to the right, eyes to the left, wearing a dark brown coat with brass buttons, a striped, yellow waistcoat, and black knee-breeches. He is seated at a wooden table upon which is a mechanical contraption. Behind him, to the far left of the canvas, is a stone column, its upper reaches obscured by a red, silk drape. Painted by Joseph Wright of Derby (1734 - 1797). Oil on canvas in gilded frame.

Exhibitions:

Title: Wright of Derby: The Bi-centenary Exhibition of Paintings by Joseph Wright
Venue: Derby Corporation Art Gallery
Dates: from 03/09/1934 to 18/11/1934
Title: Loan Exhibition of Works by Joseph Wright A.R.A. of Derby
Venue: Graves' Galleries
Dates: from 06/06/2026 to 06/06/2026

Publications

Title: Wright of Derby
Author: Judy Egerton
Published Place: London
Copyright: The Tate Gallery
Published Year: 1990
Title: Joseph Wright of Derby: Painter of Light
Sub-Title: Volume 1
Volume: 1
Author: Benedict Nicolson
Published Place: London
Copyright: Benedict Nicolson, 1968
Published Year: 1968

Related People

Sir Richard Arkwright (Content)
Display Date: British, 1732 - 1792
Nationality: British
Joseph Wright of Derby (Artist)
Display Date: British, 1734 - 1797
Nationality: British
Biography: Artist.

Sir Richard Arkwright

Date: 1790

Medium: Oil on canvas.

Object Type:	Painting
Dimensions:	Frame: 2657 × 1765 × 110 mm (104 5/8 × 69 1/2 × 4 5/16 in.) Support: 2413 × 1524 mm (95 × 60 in.)
Description:	Portrait of Sir Richard Arkwright, 1789-90
Provenance:	Listed in Wright's Account Book as 'A full length of Sr. Rd. Arkwright £52.10'; commissioned by Richard Arkwright junior; by descent through the Arkwright family to F. C. Arkwright, Esq. in 1910; then Captain Richard A. Arkwright in 1934; thence by descent to the present owner, by whom lent to Derby Museums on a long term arrnagement, from 1993.
Viewing Status:	Contact Us
Item Ref:	L1993-449/1