Jospeh Wright was born in Derby, England, in 1734 and studied painting in London with Thomas Hudson. Back in Derby, he worked as a portrait painter and exhibited his works at the Incorporated Society in 1765 and 1766.
Joseph Wright visited Italy between 1773 and 1775 and settled in Bath briefly before returning to Derby in 1777.
He joined the Royal Academy in 1781 but refused his appointment as academician in 1784.
He was above all a provincial painter much attached to the descriptionn of the beginning of the industrial revolution in the Midlands giving a philosophical touch to his works. He often used violent contrasts through artificial light in a style reminiscent of that of the Utrecht Caravagist artists.
Following his trip to Italy, he showed a deep interest in volcanic landscapes and fireworks. He is better known as Joseph Wright of Derby.
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