About Joseph Wright of Derby

Joseph Wright of Derby (1734-1797) painted the portrait of Sir Richard Arkwright and another of his son, also called Richard, with his wife and son. The painting of Arkwright Junior, his wife and child was purchased with the help of the Heritage Lottery Fund, the National Art Collections Fund and local fundraisers, so that it could remain in Derby. The two paintings are now on display in the Joseph Wright Gallery and this encourages a comparison to be made of the portrait of Arkwright senior, ‘A pot bellied self made man’ with his son, who by the time he was painted by Wright in 1790, had assumed the manners of a country gentleman.

Joseph Wright of Derby also painted portraits of Jedediah Strutt and Erasmus Darwin and two views of Richard Arkwright’s mills at Cromford, one of which depicted the Cotton Mills by night. Some of the paintings are on display in the Joseph Wright Gallery.

Joseph Wright of Derby provides us with a unique record of industrialists, philosophers, alchemists and scientists and their places of work – people and places that were part of Enlightenment Derby. He is also famous for the way he liked to paint light, such as candle or lamp light, and shadow.

Derby Museum and Art Gallery

Derby City Museum and Art Gallery

Derby Museum and Art GalleryHow to make a group booking

All school groups must book a visit in advance. Bookings can be made by contacting the administration office on: 01332 716669.

Opening Times

  • Monday 11.00am – 5.00pm
  • Tuesday – Saturday 10.00am – 5.00pm
  • Sunday and Bank Holidays 1.00pm – 4.00pm

Admission Free

How to get there

By road – Derby Museum and Art Gallery is in the town centre. Follow brown signs for ‘Museums’. There is no parking at the museum.

By train – Derby Museum and Art Gallery is about 15 minutes walk from Derby Mainline Railway Station. Follow the finger post signs for the Museum and Art Gallery.

Richard ArkwrightWhat is available for school groups?

  • Groups carrying out an investigation of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site might like to visit the Joseph Wright Gallery in the museum. Joseph Wright of Derby painted many of the famous industrialists of the time including Richard Arkwright and Jedediah Strutt and these painting can be seen in the gallery. In addition there is a display about the friends of Joseph Wright which illustrates the extent of the influence of the Enlightenment on Derby Society.

Sessions are available in the gallery led by a freelance educator on the theme:

The Light of Joseph Wright Led by John Woolley

A look at life in the late eighteenth century through some of the works of Joseph Wright of Derby. The session will include a discussion about art composition, costume and some of the ideas in the Age of Enlightenment. Art KS2, Unit 3a Portraying Relationships.

  • All sessions must be booked. The session costs £55 and lasts 90 minutes. Up to 35 can be accommodated in one session.
  • All school groups must book a visit in advance. Bookings can be made by contacting the administration office on 01332 716669

Site Highlights - Exploration and Discovery

  • Portrait of Sir Richard Arkwright (1732-1792).
  • Portrait of Jedediah Strutt (1726-1797) and bust of William Strutt(1756-1830)
  • Group portrait of Richard Arkwright Junior (1755-1843) his wife and child
  • Painting of ‘A Philosopher giving a lecture on the Orrery, in which a lamp is put in place of the Sun’ (1766).
  • A model of an Orrery
  • The friends of Joseph Wright of Derby Gallery
  • Displays in the Derbyshire Wildlife Gallery showing what to look out for when travelling through the Derwent Valley

Provision for school groups

Lunches

For schools visiting the museum provision can sometimes be made for groups to eat their lunch in the classroom. Groups will need to book this facilitiy

Toilets

There are very limited facilities at the museum. There are automatic doors at the entrance and a lift to all floors.

Equipment

The museum can supply clipboards and pencils for the use of groups.

Activity Sheets

Activity sheets are available at the museum to enable the children to investigate the work of Joseph Wright of Derby in the Joseph Wright Gallery.

Shop

There is a shop at the museum which sells postcards of Joseph Wright of Derby’s paintings as well as books about him and his work. A Family Activity Book called Famous People is also available. This book is intended to help families and school groups find out about all the famous people who began the Industrial Revolution in the Derwent Valley, including Richard Arkwright as well as Joseph Wright of Derby.