Virgil's Tomb by Moonlight, with Silius Italicus Declaiming1779
By moonlight, the Roman poet Silius Italicus declaims verses at the overgrown tomb of Virgil near Naples, which he is said to have bought and tended in honour of the poet he revered. More about this work
About this work
By moonlight, the Roman poet Silius Italicus declaims verses at the overgrown tomb of Virgil near Naples, which he is said to have bought and tended in honour of the poet he revered. Joseph Wright of Derby visited the site during his stay in Italy in 1773–75 and painted the subject several times after his return, fascinated by the contrast between moonlight and shadow. The ruined vaulting and creeping vegetation make the tomb a meditation on poetic fame outlasting the decay of stone.
Written by Ochre Editions.
How it was made
- Oil paint
- Pigment ground in a drying oil, usually linseed. It dries slowly, so painters could blend on the canvas, build up thin translucent glazes, and rework a picture over weeks. Canvas replaced wooden panels in the 1500s because it is lighter and can be rolled.
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 Met 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
- 2013.155
- Credit
- Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Type
- Paintings
- Department
- European Paintings
- Licence
- CC0 1.0 Universal
- Museum record
- See it on the museum’s site
