Study of a man, identified as Thomas Hudson, head only, facing slightly to the right. Inscribed upper left, upside down (handwritten in ink): 'No.15 - '. Made by Joseph Wright of Derby (1734-1797), c. 1751. Black and white chalk on blue paper, in cream window mount.

Exhibitions:

Title: Joseph Wright of Derby, 1734-1797: Bicentenary Exhibition
Venue: Wallis, Jane
Dates: from 21/06/1997 to 28/09/1997
Title: Joseph Wright of Derby: Life on Paper
Venue: Derby Museum and Art Gallery
Dates: from 23/05/2025 to 07/09/2025

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.
Author: Wallis, Jane
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

Recto: Study of Thomas Hudson

Date: c. 1751

Medium: Black and white chalk on blue paper.

Object Type:	Drawing
Dimensions:	Support: 381 × 311 mm (15 × 12 1/4 in.)
Description:	Ellen Miles notes that this subject 'looks a lot like Hudson'. However, she could not find a direct match among the portraits of Hudson and so wondered if it might be by Hudson's tutor, Richardson (see correspondence in catalogue file for the DBYMU 1996-1 group of drawings). [LB: 2024] Identification of subject as Thomas Hudson made by Leger Galleries Ltd. who also felt it likely that it was produced from life. Identification with Hudson accepted by Wallis who describes it as having been done from life, along with the related drawing in this group (DBYMU 1996-1/17). She notes that the present drawing (/93A) feels less ‘finished’ than the other, and may therefore represent the first attempt at the subject. This gives a sense of Wright’s progress. [from J. Wallis, 'Joseph Wright of Derby', 1997, p.61.] The number inscribed in ink on this study is very similar to those seen on some other studies in the DM collection, e.g. ‘Old John Rotherham’s Hand’, dated 29 June 1751, which has the appearance of an academic study, but is clearly very youthful. It is possible that this study of Hudson, and the related study (/17) were produced in about the same year. [LB: 2024]
Inscriptions:	Inscribed upper left, upside down (handwritten in ink): 'No.15 - '
Provenance:	…; with the Stafford family; with Agnew’s in 1991 and 1992; bought by Leger Galleries(?), from whom purchased by Derby Museums in 1995.
Viewing Status:	Contact Us
Item Ref:	1996-1/93A