Joseph Wright of Derby: Life on Paper – A Rare Glimpse Into a Genius in the Making

Derby Museum and Art Gallery | 23 May – 7 September 2025

An intimate and revelatory exhibition is captivating visitors at Derby Museum and Art Gallery this summer. Joseph Wright of Derby: Life on Paper runs from 23 May to 7 September 2025 and offers a rare and deeply personal insight into one of Britain’s most celebrated 18th-century artists. This carefully curated showcase sheds new light on Joseph Wright’s creative evolution, featuring never-before-seen sketches, letters, and preparatory drawings – including the earliest known work by the artist, produced when he was just 11 years old.

At the heart of the exhibition lies a remarkable pencil drawing of the wreathed head of the god Silenus. Dated 1745, this delicate study is Wright’s earliest known surviving work. It was recently discovered tucked away in a private family collection and is now on public display for the first time. The piece is an extraordinary revelation, offering a glimpse into Wright’s early talent and classical influences long before he received formal training.

This drawing predates Wright’s formal artistic education by six years. It would not be until 1751 that he moved to London to study under Thomas Hudson, one of the leading portraitists of the era. Yet even at the tender age of 11, Wright’s instinctive grasp of form, shading and anatomy is evident in the Silenus sketch. Its presence in the exhibition underscores the central theme of Life on Paper – a celebration of Wright’s lesser-known, more introspective works that complement his renowned oil paintings.

Best known for dramatic candlelit scenes and scientific subjects like A Philosopher Lecturing on the Orrery, Wright became internationally recognised during his lifetime. He captured the spirit of the Enlightenment with a distinctive blend of technical precision and emotional depth. But while his large-scale canvases have become synonymous with 18th-century British art, Life on Paper reveals the quieter, more reflective aspects of his artistic life.

Visitors will discover a broad selection of Wright’s sketches and private correspondence – material that rarely appears in public exhibitions. The drawings range from anatomical studies and landscapes to spontaneous figure work and notes jotted in the margins of letters. These fragments of Wright’s life provide fresh perspectives on his working methods, personal inspirations, and the intellectual milieu in which he worked.

One of the strengths of this exhibition is its emphasis on process. Rather than presenting Wright as a polished master alone, Life on Paper highlights his experimentation, development, and daily practice as an artist. His sketches on display show tentative lines, changes of mind, and exploratory marks – elements that humanise a figure so often placed on an artistic pedestal.

The exhibition is also perfectly timed to precede a major retrospective that opens at the National Gallery in London this autumn. That landmark show will celebrate Joseph Wright’s full career, before touring to Derby in 2026. Yet it is Life on Paper that offers the more intimate encounter – a personal window into his world, told through the immediacy of pencil and ink on paper.

Derby, of course, has long held a special connection to Wright. Born and based for much of his life in the city, he painted many of his masterpieces there, including portraits of local industrialists, scientists, and thinkers. Derby Museum and Art Gallery houses the world’s largest collection of his works, and this new exhibition further cements the city’s role in preserving and championing his legacy.

For art lovers, historians, and curious visitors alike, Joseph Wright of Derby: Life on Paper is an unmissable opportunity to connect with the artist in a deeply personal way. It is a reminder that behind every great painter lies a private journey of discovery, experimentation, and quiet devotion to the craft.

Plan Your Visit:

• Dates: 23 May – 7 September 2025
• Venue: Derby Museum and Art Gallery, The Strand, Derby
• Admission: Free (donations welcome)
• Website: www.derbymuseums.org

This exhibition is part of Derby Museums’ ongoing commitment to exploring the life and work of Joseph Wright, shining a light on the man behind the masterpieces and ensuring his legacy continues to inspire new generations.

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