A focus on Wright of Derby's hugely atmospheric 'candlelight' paintings, which have become his most popular works.Renowned for his depictions of dramatic contrasts between darkness and light, Joseph Wright of Derby created a significant series of paintings 'by candlelight' between 1765 and 1773. Centred around masterpieces including An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump from the National Gallery and A Philosopher Lecturing on the Orrery from Derby Museum and Art Gallery, this publication explores the social and artistic context of these pictures, foregrounding them as outstanding examples of European painting.The candlelight scenes offer a wealth of insights into Wright's own thinking as well as contemporary preoccupations during the 'Age of Enlightenment', reflecting the artist's concerns with death, melancholy, scientific progress and scepticism. The publication also discusses aesthetic debates concerning the sublime, as well as childhood wonder, curiosity and the loss of innocence. In addition to paintings and mezzotints, it considers related objects, such as contemporary scientific instruments.Published by National Gallery Global Ltd/Distributed by Yale University Press.

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Bibliographic Details

Title: Wright of Derby
Publisher: National Gallery Company Ltd, GB
Publication Date: 2025
Language: English
ISBN 10: 1857097467
ISBN 13: 9781857097467
Binding: Paperback
Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

A focus on Wright of Derby’s hugely atmospheric ‘candlelight’ paintings, which have become his most popular works.

Renowned for his depictions of dramatic contrasts between darkness and light, Joseph Wright of Derby created a significant series of paintings ‘by candlelight’ between 1765 and 1773. Centred around masterpieces including An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump from the National Gallery and A Philosopher Lecturing on the Orrery from Derby Museum and Art Gallery, this publication explores the social and artistic context of these pictures, foregrounding them as outstanding examples of European painting.

The candlelight scenes offer a wealth of insights into Wright’s own thinking as well as contemporary preoccupations during the ‘Age of Enlightenment’, reflecting the artist’s concerns with death, melancholy, scientific progress and scepticism. The publication also discusses aesthetic debates concerning the sublime, as well as childhood wonder, curiosity and the loss of innocence. In addition to paintings and mezzotints, it considers related objects, such as contemporary scientific instruments.

Published by National Gallery Global/Distributed by Yale University Press

About the Author

Christine Riding is Director of Collections and Research at the National Gallery, London.

Jon King is the Bernays Curatorial Fellow of British Paintings at the National Gallery, London.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

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