Portrait of a Gentleman

1760–1773

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”.

1774年6月24日

Daughter born: Anna Romana Wright