Drawing of a seated female figure, facing right, with her head bowed. Identified as a study of Asa, a figure from the Sistine Chapel ceiling frescoes, after Michelangelo. She sits on a bolster cushion. Behind her is the head of a child and the figure of a nude child. The shading around the figure group forms a triangle. Inscribed to top left (handwritten in ink): 'The Drapery on the head, white, the sleeve, yellow, the shade greenish / the Body red, round the arm hole green, the stockings green. / the drapery on which she sits, white.' Top right corner of the sheet is missing. Made by Joseph Wright of Derby (1734-1797), after Michelangelo (1475-1564), c. 1774. Pen and ink and ink wash over pencil on paper. Presented 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

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.
Michelangelo (After)
Display Date: Italian, 1475 - 1564
Nationality: Italian

Study of Asa, after Michelangelo

Date: c. 1774

Medium: Pen, ink, and ink wash, over pencil on paper.

Object Type:	drawing
Dimensions:	Support: 305 × 483 mm (12 × 19 in.)
Inscriptions:	Inscribed to top left (handwritten in ink): 'The Drapery on the head, white, the sleeve, yellow, the shade greenish / the Body red, round the arm hole green, the stockings green. / the drapery on which she sits, white.'
Provenance:	Possibly included in Wright's posthumous sale, Christie's, 1801, within a folio of drawings after Michelangelo; ...; with Andrew Kimpton, London, from whom purchased by Derby Museums in 1980.
Viewing Status:	Contact Us
Item Ref:	1980-717/1