A remarkable unveiling of Joseph Wright’s two rarely-seen paintings has taken place at the Derby Museum and Art Gallery. The works, “A Girl Reading a Letter with an Old Man Reading over her Shoulder” and “Two Boys Fighting Over A Bladder,” are now on long-term loan to the museum from a private UK collection. These exquisite pieces have only been displayed publicly on four occasions in the past.
Joseph Wright, a native of Derby, is renowned as one of the most captivating painters of the 18th century in Britain. His fame extends worldwide for his unique ability to depict the interplay of natural and artificial light in his compositions.
Both paintings belong to a genre referred to as ‘fancies’ during the 18th century. Often featuring children or young adults and illuminated with Wright’s signature mastery of light, these subjects were consistently popular throughout his career.
Derby Museum and Art Gallery boasts the world’s largest collection of Joseph Wright’s works, reflecting his deep connection to the region.
Lucy Bamford, the curator at Derby Museum and Art Gallery, expressed the significance of these additions: “These two works allow us to showcase a facet of Wright’s oeuvre that is otherwise underrepresented in our gallery displays. Placed alongside his other candlelight paintings, like the renowned ‘Orrery,’ they provide insight into some of Wright’s sources of inspiration, particularly Netherlandish paintings from the 17th century.”
Bamford highlighted the rarity of these artworks, noting that all other examples of Wright’s candlelight ‘fancy’ paintings are held in private collections or American museums, with just one exception at Kenwood House in London.
Tony Butler, the executive director of the museum, conveyed the institution’s excitement in becoming the custodians of these invaluable candlelight paintings. He thanked the owner for the loan, emphasizing that the public has only glimpsed these paintings on a limited basis, with appearances in temporary exhibitions dating back to 1910.
Derby Museum and Art Gallery has played a pivotal role in preserving Wright’s legacy over the past decade, securing numerous exceptional pieces including a recent acquisition, “Self-Portrait at the Age of About Forty.” This painting features an oil sketch for Wright’s celebrated masterpiece “An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump” (1768), unveiled in May 2022.
Butler acknowledged the pivotal role of regional museums in cultivating pride in their communities and preserving national treasures. Plans for the future include launching an online catalogue of Wright’s works to increase accessibility. Additionally, an exhibition featuring nearly 400 of Wright’s works on paper will explore his life and art through his drawings, slated for 2024 in Derby and subsequent touring.
The unveiling of these rarely-seen paintings not only enriches Derby’s cultural landscape but also grants the public a chance to experience the brilliance of Joseph Wright’s artistry in new ways.