This autumn, the National Gallery will unveil Wright of Derby: From the Shadows, a landmark exhibition dedicated to the extraordinary works of Joseph Wright ‘of Derby’ (1734–1797).
This will be the first exhibition at the National Gallery to focus exclusively on Wright’s oeuvre, and more specifically, his captivating ‘candlelight’ series. Organized in partnership with Derby Museums, the exhibition will later travel to Derby in 2026, offering audiences a rare opportunity to explore the life and legacy of one of Britain’s most iconic artists.
Following the success of recent exhibitions such as Turner on Tour (2022) and Discover Constable & The Hay Wain (2024), this new showcase will spotlight Wright of Derby, a celebrated figure in the National Gallery Collection whose work has come to symbolize the Enlightenment era. Traditionally hailed as a ‘painter of light’ and a key figure of the Enlightenment—a period of profound scientific, philosophical, and artistic innovation—this exhibition challenges the conventional narrative. Instead, it repositions Wright as an artist who delved into the shadows, using night-time settings to explore themes of death, melancholy, morality, scepticism, and the sublime.
A Focus on the Candlelight Series
The exhibition will center on Wright’s career between 1765 and 1773, a period during which he created his renowned candlelit scenes. Visitors will have the chance to see masterpieces such as Three Persons Viewing the Gladiator by Candlelight (1765, private collection), A Philosopher Giving That Lecture on the Orrery in Which a Lamp is Put in Place of the Sun (1766, Derby Museums), and the National Gallery’s own An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump (1768). This marks the first time in 35 years that these iconic works will be displayed together. Additionally, An Academy by Lamplight (1769), on loan from the Yale Center for British Art, will be exhibited in the UK for the first time in over a decade.
Wright’s candlelight paintings are celebrated for their dramatic interplay of light and shadow, evoking the chiaroscuro techniques of Renaissance masters like Caravaggio. These works capture thrilling moments of discovery and shared learning, linking Wright’s artistry to both historical traditions and the intellectual fervor of the Enlightenment. His use of natural and artificial light not only creates visual drama but also serves as a metaphor for the illumination of knowledge and the moral complexities of observation.
Exploring Enlightenment Themes
Wright’s masterpieces are more than just visually stunning; they engage deeply with the philosophical and scientific questions of his time. In An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump, a traveling lecturer demonstrates a scientific experiment to a family audience, eliciting reactions ranging from awe to horror. Similarly, in The Orrery, a philosopher uses a clockwork model of the solar system to teach astronomy, with an oil lamp symbolizing the sun. These works explore the moral ambiguities of observation and the intellectual influence of ‘high’ art, while also reflecting the Enlightenment’s fascination with education, spectacle, and the act of looking.
A Turning Point in Art and Science
Wright of Derby’s career coincided with a transformative period in the 18th century, when public art exhibitions and the display of contemporary works were becoming more accessible. An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump was completed in 1768, the same year the Royal Academy was founded, and was intended to appeal to a broad audience. Wright also capitalized on the popularity of mezzotint prints, which played a crucial role in establishing his international reputation. These luxury reproductions, which will be featured in the exhibition, highlight how Wright skillfully leveraged emerging technologies to expand his reach.
In addition to Wright’s paintings and prints, the exhibition will include scientific instruments from the Enlightenment era, such as an orrery and an air pump, on loan from the Whipple Museum of the History of Science in Cambridge. These objects provide historical context, illustrating the intersection of art, science, and education during Wright’s time.
A Collaboration Across Institutions
Wright of Derby: From the Shadows will feature over twenty works, including paintings, works on paper, and objects that shed light on Wright’s artistic practice and the cultural milieu of the 18th century. Seventeen of these works will come from Derby Museums, which houses the world’s largest collection of Wright’s art. In 2026, the exhibition will travel to Derby Museum and Art Gallery, bringing two of Wright’s most famous works, The Air Pump and The Orrery, back to his hometown for the first time in 80 years.
This exhibition, organized by the National Gallery and Derby Museums, promises to be a profound exploration of Joseph Wright’s legacy, offering fresh perspectives on his artistry and the Enlightenment era. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to step into the shadows and discover the brilliance of Wright of Derby.
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Joseph Wright ‘of Derby’
An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump
1768
Oil on canvas, 183 × 244 cm
© The National Gallery, London