Drawing of male and female figures, identified as a study of a relief on an ancient Greek sarcophagus depicting the 'Education of the Infant Dionysus', in the Capitoline Museums, Rome. The drawing combines two separate parts of the long relief: on the left, taken from the centre of the relief, Silenus (facing left) raises a strap to hit the young Dionysus, whose right shoulder he holds. Behind, a satyr with an animal skin over shoulder, raises a bowl. On the right, taken from the extreme right end of the sarcophagus, a female figure is crouching and holding out a bowl of fruit as if to tempt the infant Dionysus (omitted by Wright), whilst a standing female figure behind her reaches her right arm out. Inscribed on recto, to lower centre (handwritten in ink): 'Capitol / May 31st - 74' and to upper left (handwritten in ink): '24'. Made by Joseph Wright of Derby (1734 - 1797), 1774. Pen and ink on light green washed paper. Displayed in a cream window mount.

Exhibitions:

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

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.

Study of Figures from a Sarcophagus Relief depicting the 'Education of the Infant Dionysus', after the Antique

Date: 31.5.1774

Medium: Pen and ink on light green washed paper.

Object Type:	Drawing
Dimensions:	Support: 365 × 537 mm (14 3/8 × 21 1/8 in.)
Inscriptions:	Inscribed on recto, to lower centre (handwritten in ink): 'Capitol / May 31st - 74' and to upper left (handwritten in ink): '24'.
Provenance:	...; William Bemrose of Derby; by descent to his son, Charles Lloyd Bemrose, by whom donated to Derby Museums in 1914.
Viewing Status:	Contact Us
Item Ref:	1914-517/41