Drawing of a nude male figure, identified as a study of the Hellenistic sculpture known as the 'Borghese Gladiator', which is at the Louvre in Paris (formerly at the Villa Borghese, Rome). The figure lunges forwards dramatically (towards the left of the sheet), his left arm raised and obscuring his face; his right arm behind clutching a sword hilt. Numerous tears and creases throughout; a piece of the sheet has been torn away from the left and lower right sides. Made by Joseph Wright of Derby (1734 - 1797), c. 1764-1765. Pen and ink and grey ink wash over pencil on brown paper.

Exhibitions:

  • Title: Paintings by Joseph Wright, A.R.A., commonly called "Wright of Derby", together with some Original Drawings, and a Complete Collection of Prints after his Works
    Venue: Derby Corporation Art Gallery
    Dates: from 22/07/1883 to 22/07/1883
  • Title: Joseph Wright of Derby in Liverpool
    Venue: Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool
    Dates: from to
  • Title: Joseph Wright of Derby: An Exhibition to Commemorate the Centenary of Derby Museums and Art Gallery
    Venue: Derby Museum and Art Gallery
    Dates: from 21/04/1979 to 21/07/1979
  • Title: Drawings by Joseph Wright of Derby
    Venue: Derby Museum and Art Gallery
    Dates: from 31/03/1990 to 22/04/1990
  • Title: Joseph Wright of Derby, 1734-1797: Bicentenary Exhibition
    Venue: Wallis, Jane
    Dates: from 21/06/1997 to 28/09/1997
  • Title: D'après l'Antique
    Venue: Musée du Louvre, Paris
    Dates: from 16/10/2000 to 15/01/2001
  • Title: Joseph Wright of Derby: Life on Paper
    Venue: Derby Museum and Art Gallery
    Dates: from 23/05/2025 to 07/09/2025
  • Title: Wright of Derby: From the Shadows
    Venue: National Gallery, London
    Dates: from 07/11/2025 to 01/11/2026

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
  • 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

  • Joseph Wright of Derby (Artist)

    Display Date: British, 1734 - 1797

    Nationality: British

    Biography: Artist.

Study of the 'Borghese Gladiator', after the Antique

Date: c. 1764-1765

Medium: Pen and ink and grey wash over pencil on brown paper.

Object Type:Drawing
Dimensions:Support: 511 × 419 mm (20 1/8 × 16 1/2 in.)
Provenance:...; with Daniel Daulby of Liverpool by 1793; ...; with William Bemrose of Derby in 1883; by descent to his son, Charles Lloyd Bemrose, by whom donated to Derby Museums in 1914.
Viewing Status:Contact Us
Item Ref:1914-517/1
Browse Collection
Browse Collection