Painting of an alchemist kneeling before a glowing glass flask from which a jet of gas is being released. To his left two young, male assistants are working with a bunsen burner. One of them has stopped to turn and point towards the alchemist. The scene is set within a dark interior, the architecture of which appears gothic. Beyond the alchemist, through an arched, leaded window, a full moon is visible. Inscribed recto, to right of centre: 'J.W. /Pinxt. /1795'. Painted by Joseph Wright of Derby (1734 - 1797). Oil on canvas, in carved and gilded frame. Glazed.
Painting of an alchemist kneeling before a glowing glass flask from which a jet of gas is being released. To his left two young, male assistants are working with a bunsen burner. One of them has stopped to turn and point towards the alchemist. The scene is set within a dark interior, the architecture of which appears gothic. Beyond the alchemist, through an arched, leaded window, a full moon is visible. Inscribed recto, to right of centre: 'J.W. /Pinxt. /1795'. Painted by Joseph Wright of Derby (1734 - 1797). Oil on canvas, in carved and gilded frame. Glazed.
Painting of an alchemist kneeling before a glowing glass flask from which a jet of gas is being released. To his left two young, male assistants are working with a bunsen burner. One of them has stopped to turn and point towards the alchemist. The scene is set within a dark interior, the architecture of which appears gothic. Beyond the alchemist, through an arched, leaded window, a full moon is visible. Inscribed recto, to right of centre: 'J.W. /Pinxt. /1795'. Painted by Joseph Wright of Derby (1734 - 1797). Oil on canvas, in carved and gilded frame. Glazed.

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
    Dates: from 06/10/1883 to 06/10/1883
  • Title: Wright of Derby: The Bi-centenary Exhibition of Paintings by Joseph Wright
    Dates: from 03/09/1934 to 18/11/1934
  • Title: Joseph Wright of Derby, 1734 - 1797
    Venue: Derby Museum and Art Gallery
    Dates: from 04/10/1947 to 29/10/1947
  • Title: Joseph Wright of Derby, 1734 - 1797
    Dates: from 05/11/1947 to 30/11/1947
  • Title: Pictures by Joseph Wright
    Dates: from 17/07/1950 to 27/07/1950
  • Title: Joseph Wright of Derby
    Venue: WALKERARTGALLERY
    Dates: from 11/04/1958 to 18/05/1958
  • Title: Joseph Wright of Derby
    Dates: from 31/05/1958 to 21/06/1958
  • Title: Joseph Wright of Derby
    Venue: Norwich Castle Museum
    Dates: from 03/01/1959 to 01/02/1959
  • Title: Christies Sale
    Dates: from to
  • Title: Derby Sale
    Dates: from to
  • Title: Reflections
    Dates: from 01/01/1972 to 07/05/1972
  • Title: Gothick
    Dates: from 06/05/1975 to 17/08/1975
  • Title: A Trick of Light
    Dates: from 02/09/1975 to 23/09/1975
  • Title: Joseph Wright of Derby
    Dates: from 21/04/1979 to 21/07/1979
  • Title: The Nature of Painting - Light (Arts Council)
    Dates: from 19/10/1983 to 13/11/1983
  • Title: The Nature of Painting - Light (Arts Council)
    Dates: from 19/11/1983 to 18/12/1983
  • Title: The Nature of Painting - Light (Arts Council)
    Dates: from 04/01/1984 to 29/01/1984
  • Title: The Nature of Painting - Light (Arts Council)
    Dates: from 04/02/1984 to 03/03/1984
  • Title: Wright of Derby
    Dates: from 07/02/1990 to 22/04/1990
  • Title: Wright of Derby
    Dates: from 17/05/1990 to 23/07/1990
  • Title: Wright of Derby
    Dates: from 06/09/1990 to 02/12/1990
  • Title: Joseph Wright of Derby 'the dawn of taste' in Liverpool
    Dates: from 17/11/2007 to 24/02/2008
  • Title: Faces In The Crowd - Joseph Wright And Friends In Georgian Derbyshire
    Venue: Buxton Museum and Art Gallery
    Dates: from 05/03/2011 to 30/05/2011
  • Title: Joseph Wright of Derby: Bath and Beyond
    Dates: from 25/01/2014 to 05/05/2014
  • Title: Joseph Wright of Derby, Bath and Beyond
    Dates: from 24/05/2014 to 31/08/2014
  • Title: Simon Starling (part of The Grand Tour, Season Two)
    Dates: from 19/03/2016 to 26/06/2016
  • Title: Harry Potter: A History of Magic
    Venue: BRITISHLIBRARY
    Dates: from 20/10/2017 to 28/02/2018
  • Title: It's Alive! Frankenstein at 200
    Dates: from 12/10/2018 to 27/01/2019
  • Title: Loan Exhibition of Works by Joseph Wright ARA of Derby
    Venue: HENRYGRAVES&CO.LTD.
    Dates: from 06/10/2025 to 06/10/2025

Publications

  • Title: Joseph Wright of Derby
    Sub-Title: Painter of Light
    Volume: 1
    Published Place: London
    Published Year: 1968

Keywords

Light, Alchemy, Phosphorus

Related People

  • Wright, Joseph (Artist)

    Display Date: British, 1734 - 1797

    Nationality: British

    Biography: British artist.

The Alchymist in Search of the Philosopher's Stone, Discovers Phosphorus, and Prays for the Successful Conclusion of his Operation, as was the Custom of the Ancient Chymical Astrologers

Date: 1771, reworked and dated 1795

Medium: oil on canvas

Object Type:painting
Dimensions:Frame: 1455 x 1185 x 580 mm (57 5/16 x 46 5/8 x 22 13/16 in.) Support: 1270 x 1016 mm (50 x 40 in.)
Description:TEST Before modern science developed, alchemists combined knowledge, magic and religion in a search for the 'Philosophers' stone', which could turn ordinary metal like lead, into gold. Wright's paintig shows this particular alchemist accidentally discovering a new chemical, phosphorus. His two assistants are making lead from ore, in an experiment still practised today.
Inscriptions:'J.W. / Pinxt. / 1795' recto, to right of centre.
Provenance:In Wright's Account Book (Heinz archive, National Portrait Gallery, London) as 'The Chymist £105'; unsold by 1773, so taken by Wright to Italy, unsold there and brought back in 1775; remained in his possession; offered in Wright's posthumous sale, Christie's 6 May 1801 (no.62, as 'The Alchymist in his Elaboratory with Assistants... companion to lot 63 'The Hermit''), bt in; sold Wright sale, Mr. Shaw, Derby, 11 October 1810, bt Mr. Tate of Liverpool, for Colonel Wilson; Christie's, 5 February 1881 (lot 665), bt McLean; F. Beresford Wright, from whom purchased by subscription for Derby Art Gallery in 1883.
Viewing Status:On Display
Item Ref:1883-152
Item Ref:1883-152
Browse Collection
Browse Collection