the collector's folio

Joseph Wright of Derby Most Popular Paintings

The 25 artworks by Joseph Wright of Derby our visitors ask for most, ranked by popularity and presented one by one, with the specification and the price of each hand-painted reproduction.

Edition 2026 · 25 artworks Each artwork painted to order
Linen canvas · Certificate of authenticity · Delivered worldwide Joseph Wright of Derby · 1734 – 1797

An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump

Experience Joseph Wright’s ‘An Experiment…’ – a dramatic 18th-century oil painting capturing scientific curiosity & Enlightenment spirit. Chiaroscuro, rich detail, & symbolic depth. Perfect for collectors.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 1 of 313 artworks by Joseph Wright of Derby
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$38137 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

The Annual Girandola at the Castel Sant’Angelo, Rome

1776 · Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool · original 1730 x 1380 cm

Witness 'The Annual Girandola,' Wright’s dramatic 1776 Rome cityscape! A captivating firework display scene – a masterpiece of chiaroscuro & historical detail.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 2 of 313 artworks by Joseph Wright of Derby
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18135 × 28 cm Commission this artwork

The Blacksmith's Shop

1771 · Yale Center for British Art, New Haven · original 128 x 104 cm

This iconic painting depicts a blacksmith's workshop at night, showcasing three distinct groups—those who wait, those who watch, and those who work—under the dramatic illumination of candlelight. Wright’s meticulous observation and skillful use of light contribute to its enduring legacy as a symbol of enlightenment and innovation.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 3 of 313 artworks by Joseph Wright of Derby
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$554104 × 128 cm Commission at original size

Matlock Tor by Moonlight

1780 · Yale Center for British Art, New Haven · original 64 x 76 cm

This stunning landscape painting depicts Matlock Tor bathed in moonlight, reflecting the Romantic era’s fascination with natural grandeur. Created in 1778-1780 by Joseph Wright of Derby, it exemplifies his pioneering use of light and shadow to convey emotion and scientific observation.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 4 of 313 artworks by Joseph Wright of Derby
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18135 × 29 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$29976 × 64 cm Commission at original size

An Iron Forge

1772 · Tate Gallery, London

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Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 5 of 313 artworks by Joseph Wright of Derby
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18133 × 30 cm Commission this artwork

Self-portrait

1768 · National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne · original 69 x 58 cm

Explore Joseph Wright’s "Self-Portrait" (1768). A captivating oil painting showcasing his signature chiaroscuro & refined style. Discover a rare glimpse into the artist's development.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 6 of 313 artworks by Joseph Wright of Derby
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18129 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$27358 × 69 cm Commission at original size

Three Children of Richard Arkwright with a Kite

1791 · Tate Gallery, London

Joseph Wright's 'Three Children of Richard Arkwright' captures childhood joy amidst the Industrial Revolution. This stunning oil painting, now at the Tate Gallery, showcases Wright’s masterful light & shadow technique.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 7 of 313 artworks by Joseph Wright of Derby
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Three Children of Richard Arkwright with a Goat

1791 · Tate Gallery, London

Joseph Wright’s luminous ‘Three Children of Richard Arkwright’ captures the idyllic spirit of industrial progress—a masterful chiaroscuro depiction celebrating childhood wonder amidst groundbreaking textile innovation in Derby during the Enlightenment.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 8 of 313 artworks by Joseph Wright of Derby
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

The Dead Soldier

1789 · Yale Center for British Art, New Haven · original 102 x 127 cm

Joseph Wright’s ‘The Dead Soldier,’ painted in 1789, portrays a grieving woman holding her child beside a fallen soldier, illuminated by candlelight and surrounded by symbolic objects like a chair, bottle, and books. This evocative scene embodies the spirit of Enlightenment art and scientific inquiry.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 9 of 313 artworks by Joseph Wright of Derby
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18135 × 28 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$543127 × 102 cm Commission at original size

Richard Cheslyn

1777 · Tate Gallery, London

Experience the quiet reflection of Joseph Wright of Derby's 1777 masterpiece, Richard Cheslyn, showcasing dramatic chiaroscuro and Enlightenment thought; discover this timeless portrait today.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 10 of 313 artworks by Joseph Wright of Derby
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Philosopher giving a lecture on the orrery

1768 · Yale Center for British Art, New Haven · original 45 x 60 cm

Experience Joseph Wright's iconic 'Philosopher & Orrery'! This neoclassical masterpiece captures the dawn of scientific inquiry and enlightenment, showcasing a lecture illuminated by a lamp.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 11 of 313 artworks by Joseph Wright of Derby
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18137 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$23360 × 45 cm Commission at original size

Fleetwood Hesketh

1769 · Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool · original 1020 x 1270 cm

Admire Joseph Wright of Derby’s ‘Fleetwood Hesketh,’ a stunning 1769 oil portrait. Captivating neoclassical style, dramatic lighting & rich detail showcase this Lancashire landowner. #art #portraiture #derby

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 12 of 313 artworks by Joseph Wright of Derby
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Vesuvius in Eruption, with a View over the Islands in the Bay of Naples

1776 · Tate Gallery, London

Witness Joseph Wright's dramatic 'Vesuvius in Eruption'! This iconic painting captures the raw power of nature & human response to the 1776 volcanic blast, a masterpiece of the Industrial Age.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 13 of 313 artworks by Joseph Wright of Derby
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18137 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Virgil's Tomb by Moonlight, with Silius Italicus Declaiming

1779 · Metropolitan Museum of Art, new york · original 102 x 127 cm

Witness Joseph Wright’s "Virgil’s Tomb" – a dramatic 1779 oil painting of moonlight & contemplation. Explore this Romantic masterpiece at The Met! #arthistory #josephwright

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 14 of 313 artworks by Joseph Wright of Derby
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18135 × 28 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$543127 × 102 cm Commission at original size

Sir Brooke Boothby

1781 · Tate Gallery, London

Capture the thoughtful mood of this 1781 portrait by Joseph Wright of Derby, featuring a gentleman in an outdoor setting; discover timeless artistry today.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 15 of 313 artworks by Joseph Wright of Derby
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18137 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Vesuvius in Eruption, with a View over the Islands in the Bay of Naples

1776 · Tate Britain, London · original 76 x 12 cm

Witness the dramatic eruption of Mount Vesuvius through Joseph Wright's masterful painting. A stunning depiction of nature’s power and human observation, capturing the Industrial Age's spirit.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 16 of 313 artworks by Joseph Wright of Derby
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18138 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

The Honourable John Grey

1764 · Dunham Massey, Altrincham

Joseph Wright’s ‘The Honourable John Grey,’ painted in 1764, showcases Wright’s signature chiaroscuro technique and captures the intellectual fervor of the Industrial Revolution era. Located at Dunham Massey Estate, UK, this iconic artwork exemplifies scientific observation and philosophical contemplation.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 17 of 313 artworks by Joseph Wright of Derby
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Landscape with Dale Abbey, Derbyshire

1785 · Sheffield City Art Galleries, Sheffield

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 18 of 313 artworks by Joseph Wright of Derby
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18137 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Vesuvius from Posillipo

1788 · Yale Center for British Art, New Haven · original 63 x 83 cm

Witness the dramatic sunset over Vesuvius by Joseph Wright of Derby! This iconic 1788 painting captures the volcano's power with masterful chiaroscuro and a touch of Italian flair.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 19 of 313 artworks by Joseph Wright of Derby
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18137 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$31083 × 63 cm Commission at original size

Academy by Lamplight

1770 · Yale Center for British Art, New Haven · original 127 x 101 cm

Explore Joseph Wright's masterpiece 'Academy by Lamplight,' capturing the dawn of industrial art with its dramatic candlelight scene and depiction of scientific discovery. Discover Derby's luminary!

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 20 of 313 artworks by Joseph Wright of Derby
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$539101 × 127 cm Commission at original size

Landscape with a Rainbow

1794 · Yale Center for British Art, New Haven

Experience Joseph Wright's 'Landscape with a Rainbow,' a dramatic Romantic masterpiece capturing nature’s beauty after a storm. A stunning reproduction by WahooArt.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 21 of 313 artworks by Joseph Wright of Derby
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18138 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Portrait of a Man, Known as the Indian Captain

1767 · Yale Center for British Art, New Haven · original 229 x 138 cm

Discover Joseph Wright’s ‘Portrait of a Man,’ a dramatic 1767 painting featuring an adventurous figure in Rococo style. Explore its rich colors, theatrical lighting & historical intrigue.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 22 of 313 artworks by Joseph Wright of Derby
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18125 × 41 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$1100138 × 229 cm Commission at original size

Erasmus Darwin

Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Wolverhampton

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 23 of 313 artworks by Joseph Wright of Derby
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18129 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Matlock Tor at Moonlight

1780 · Yale Center for British Art, New Haven

Witness the dramatic moonlight scene of Matlock Tor by Joseph Wright! This iconic painting captures industrial England's beauty & innovation, showcasing masterful chiaroscuro and historical significance.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 24 of 313 artworks by Joseph Wright of Derby
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18135 × 29 cm Commission this artwork

Richard Gildart

1768 · Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool · original 1000 x 1250 cm

Experience Joseph Wright's iconic portrait of Richard Gildart, a Liverpool merchant and prominent figure during the Industrial Revolution. A striking depiction of power, wealth, and candid observation.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 25 of 313 artworks by Joseph Wright of Derby
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

The artist

Joseph Wright of Derby

1734 – 1797

Quick facts

Creative periodsmature period
Born1734, Derby, United Kingdom
Copyright statusPublic domain
Vibedramatic
Top 3 worksAn Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump, The Annual Girandola at the Castel Sant’Angelo, Rome, The Blacksmith's Shop
Lifespan63 years
Died1797
Top-ranked workAn Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump

Biography

The Luminary of Derby: Joseph Wright and the Dawn of the Industrial Age

Joseph Wright, known to history as “Wright of Derby,” was more than a painter; he was a visual philosopher who captured a pivotal moment in human existence. Born in 1734 amidst the burgeoning industrial heartland of England, Wright didn’t merely depict his time—he *illuminated* it, both literally and figuratively. His canvases weren't filled with grand historical narratives or aristocratic portraits alone; they pulsed with the energy of scientific discovery, the drama of enlightenment thought, and the stark beauty of a landscape irrevocably altered by human innovation. He stands as the first major artist to truly grapple with, and celebrate, the spirit of the Industrial Revolution, an era that would redefine civilization itself. His early life in Derby, steeped in the practical world of his father’s legal profession, provided a grounding that perhaps informed his later fascination with precision and observation. Though initially destined for law, young Joseph's inclination towards art proved irresistible, leading him to London at seventeen to study under Thomas Hudson, a prominent portrait painter of the day. This formal training laid a foundation, but it was Wright’s innate curiosity and independent spirit that would ultimately forge his unique artistic path.

Chiaroscuro and the Spirit of Inquiry

Wright's technical mastery is immediately apparent in his dramatic use of chiaroscuro, a technique borrowed from Baroque masters like Caravaggio but employed with a distinctly modern sensibility. He wasn’t simply interested in creating visual drama; he used light and shadow to symbolize the unveiling of knowledge, the struggle between darkness and understanding. Consider masterpieces such as *An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump* (1768), where candlelight throws stark relief upon the faces of onlookers witnessing a scientific demonstration—a scene brimming with both wonder and anxiety. The painting isn’t just about the experiment itself; it's an exploration of humanity’s burgeoning curiosity, its willingness to probe the mysteries of nature, and the ethical implications of such endeavors. Similarly, *A Philosopher Lecturing on the Orrery* (1766) presents a captivating scene where a miniature solar system is unveiled, illuminating not only the faces of the captivated audience but also the expanding universe of scientific thought. These weren’t isolated incidents; Wright consistently sought subjects that allowed him to explore the intersection of science, philosophy, and human emotion. His style was subtly influenced by Alexander Cozens, particularly in his compositional approaches, yet he remained fiercely independent, forging a visual language uniquely his own.

Beyond Portraits: Landscapes and the Romantic Sensibility

While Wright is celebrated for his “candlelight pictures,” to limit him to that single aspect of his oeuvre would be a grave disservice. He was also a gifted landscape painter, capturing the rugged beauty of Derbyshire and beyond with an increasingly Romantic sensibility. Works like *Dovedale by Moonlight* showcase his ability to evoke atmosphere and emotion through subtle gradations of light and shadow, transforming familiar scenes into evocative visions. His landscapes weren’t merely topographical representations; they were imbued with a sense of awe and reverence for the natural world—a sentiment that resonated deeply with the growing Romantic movement. Even in these seemingly tranquil scenes, however, there's often an undercurrent of melancholy or mystery, hinting at the fragility of nature and the inevitability of change. *Rydal Waterfall* (1795), exemplifies this skill, showcasing his mastery of capturing both power and serenity within a single composition.

A Legacy Forged in Light and Shadow

Wright’s impact on British art was profound, though perhaps not immediately recognized during his lifetime. He faced some resistance from the established artistic circles, notably declining full membership to the Royal Academy after feeling slighted—a testament to his independent spirit. However, his influence extended beyond formal institutions. Artists like William Pether and John Downman were directly inspired by his techniques, particularly his dramatic use of light and shadow. More broadly, Wright’s work paved the way for a new generation of artists who sought to capture the dynamism and complexity of the modern world. He didn't just paint what he saw; he painted what he *felt*—the excitement, the anxiety, the wonder—of an era on the cusp of transformation. His paintings remain powerful reminders of a time when humanity dared to question everything, to explore the unknown, and to embrace the possibilities of a new age. Today, his works are held in major museums worldwide, ensuring that the luminary of Derby continues to illuminate our understanding of art, science, and the human spirit.

Notable Works: *An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump*, *A Philosopher Lecturing on the Orrery*, *Dovedale by Moonlight*.
Influences: Thomas Hudson, Alexander Cozens, Baroque masters like Caravaggio.
Key Characteristics: Dramatic chiaroscuro, exploration of scientific themes, Romantic landscapes.

Questions & Answers

What aliases or alternate names does Joseph Wright of Derby have?

Joseph Wright of Derby appears under the alternate names Joseph Wright, Of Derby Wright, Joseph, of Derby Wright, Joseph Wright of Darby, Wright of Derby.

Where are Joseph Wright of Derby's artworks grouped by keywords?

Joseph Wright of Derby's works can be explored by keyword on the artist's By Keywords page. Each keyword groups the related artworks.

How many artworks by Joseph Wright of Derby are available to browse?

You can browse 313 artworks by Joseph Wright of Derby on the All Artworks page.

By the WahooArt.com Editorial Team Updated Aug. 31, 2026

Collector's quiz

Joseph Wright of Derby is particularly known for being the first professional painter to express what?
What artistic technique is Wright of Derby renowned for using to create dramatic effects in his paintings?
Which of the following is a notable work by Joseph Wright of Derby?
Wright's style was influenced by which artist’s ideas for composition?
What was Wright's reaction to being offered full membership with the Royal Academy?

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