Joseph Wright of DerbyBritish, 1734–1797Portrait of a Gentleman
Can I see it?
Yes, on view now
Where is “Portrait of a Gentleman” now? National Gallery of Art, Gallery 59 · West Building, Main Floor, Washington, D.C. Yes, on view now. Checked September 29, 2026.
Closing soon· until 5:00 PM
On public display.
- Checked
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
Details
- Accession number
- 1940.1.11
What it shows
In the catalog
Sources
- National Gallery of Art
- Image: National Gallery of Art — Museum open access
In the life of Joseph Wright of Derby
The whole life1760–1773
Meets Wedgwood and Priestley
While living in Derby, Wright came to know the potter Josiah Wedgwood, founder of the Wedgwood company, and the chemist Joseph Priestley; he attended the scientists’ experiments and depicted them in drawings and paintings. Wedgwood, together with the industrialist Richard Arkwright, became one of Wright’s two most important patrons.
1768–1771
Liverpool: portraits and the name “of Derby”
Wright spent a productive spell in Liverpool painting portraits of prominent citizens and their families. It was then that he became known as Wright “of Derby”, to distinguish him from the artist Richard Wright, also based in Liverpool.
28 July 1773
Marries Ann Swift, a miner’s daughter
Established in his profession, Wright married Ann (also known as Hannah) Swift, the daughter of a Derbyshire lead miner.
1773 – February 1774
Voyage to Italy with Downman and Hurleston
In 1773 Wright set off for Italy with John Downman, Richard Hurleston and his newly pregnant wife. Their ship sheltered for three weeks in Nice, and only in February 1774 did the travellers reach Livorno.
1773–1775
Rome and Naples: ruins, fireworks, grottoes
In Italy Wright sketched ancient ruins, landscapes and classical statues and watched the spectacular fireworks of the Roman carnival, then went on to Naples and explored the caves and grottoes along the bay. He described the Italian atmosphere as “beautiful and extraordinary, so pure and clear”.
24 June 1774
Daughter born: Anna Romana Wright
