Self-Portrait in a Fur Cap1765/68
Joseph Wright of Derby portrays himself in a fur cap, drawn in monochrome pastel on blue-grey paper, with greys and blacks building the face and the soft texture of the fur. More about this work
About this work
Joseph Wright of Derby portrays himself in a fur cap, drawn in monochrome pastel on blue-grey paper, with greys and blacks building the face and the soft texture of the fur. Made in the later 1760s, when Wright was in his early thirties and becoming known for his dramatic candlelit scenes of science and industry, the drawing takes up the tradition, inspired by Rembrandt, of the artist portrayed in fanciful dress. The restrained palette concentrates attention on the play of light across the features.
Written by Ochre Editions.
What you’re looking at
Black, gray pastel portrait of man in a fur hat.
Description from the Art Institute of Chicago.
How it was made
- Pastel
- Sticks of almost pure pigment with very little binder. The colour sits on the paper as powder: bright, matte and fragile.
- Laid paper
- Handmade on a mould of close-set wires, which leave fine parallel lines you can see when the sheet is held to the light.
Joseph Wright of Derby
English, 1734–1797 · Born and died in Derby.
Wright spent most of his career in his native Derby, painting portraits of Midlands gentry and industrialists. He is best known for candlelit scenes of science and industry, such as An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump and A Philosopher Lecturing on the Orrery, which reflect the curiosity of friends in the circle of the Lunar Society. After two years in Italy he added erupting volcanoes, moonlit landscapes and fireworks to his repertoire.
Written by Ochre Editions.
Rights and the museum’s record
Public domain. The Art Institute of Chicago has dedicated this image to the public domain under CC0, so anyone may copy, adapt and use it, for any purpose, without asking. Our prints and files are reproductions made from the museum’s image; the museum doesn’t endorse them.
- Object number
- 1990.141
- Credit
- Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago
- Type
- Drawing and Watercolor
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Licence
- CC0 1.0 Universal
- Museum record
- See it on the museum’s site
