Issue 39 Sept 23 - Journal - Page 84
Two rarely before seen
Joseph Wright paintings
unveiled at Derby Museum
and Art Gallery
On long-term loan, they join the largest collection of works by world renowned artist
A Girl Reading a Letter with an Old Man Reading over
her Shoulder and Two Boys Fighting Over a Bladder are
captivating examples of what were known in the 18th
century as 'fancies'. Often depicting children, or young
adults, and treated with Wright's trademark approach to
painting light, these subjects proved popular throughout
his career. Referencing childhood innocence, love and the
transience of life, Derby Museums hopes these paintings
will have a universal appeal whilst capturing the attention
of scholars and Wright specialists who may have never
seen these works before.
Two rarely before seen ‘candlelight’ paintings by worldfamous artist Joseph Wright have been unveiled at Derby
Museum and Art Gallery. Wright, who was born and
raised in Derby, is widely regarded as one of Britain’s most
compelling 18th century painters and is known the worldover for his 'works depicting different effects of natural
and artificial light.'
Now, two paintings A Girl Reading a Letter with an Old
Man Reading over her Shoulder and Two Boys Fighting
Over a Bladder are on long-term loan to Derby Museum
and Art Gallery and will be available for local, national,
and international followers of Wright’s work to admire
from Tuesday 22 August 2023. As part of a private
UK collection, these two paintings have only been seen
fleetingly on four previous occasions and will now be
accessible to a wider audience as part of this long-term
loan agreement.
Derby Museum and Art Gallery is home to the largest
collection of Wright's work in the world, and these two
new loans are the latest additions as part of Derby
Museums’ ongoing ambition to enhance its collection and
expand understanding of the artist's life and work. Over
the past decade the museum’s dedicated team has secured
many exceptional pieces by Wright, including the most
Above, Curators Lucy Bamford (L) and Matt Edwards (R) hang ‘A Girl Reading a Letter with an Old Man Reading over her Shoulder’ and
‘Two Boys Fighting Over a Bladder’ by Joseph Wright at Derby Museum and Art Gallery. Image © Oliver Taylor – Derby Museums
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Conservation & Heritage Journal
82
