Joseph Wright of 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.