Wright of Derby Illuminates the National Gallery in 2025

The National Gallery has announced an extraordinary new exhibition, Wright of Derby: From the Shadows, set to open in the autumn of 2025.

This much-anticipated showcase is the first-ever exhibition at the National Gallery dedicated to the acclaimed British artist Joseph Wright ‘of Derby’ (1734–1797). With a sharp focus on Wright’s lauded ‘candlelight’ series, the exhibition promises to cast new light—both literal and figurative—on this master painter’s complex body of work.

Organised in partnership with Derby Museums, this landmark exhibition will travel to Derby Museum and Art Gallery in 2026, offering audiences across the UK a chance to explore Wright’s genius up close.

Shedding new light on Wright of Derby

Traditionally celebrated as a symbol of the Enlightenment, Wright of Derby’s work has often been framed solely through his innovative approach to light and shadow. Yet, Wright of Derby: From the Shadows offers a deeper narrative, challenging this limited view. The exhibition proposes a broader understanding of Wright as an artist who grappled with themes such as death, melancholy, morality, scepticism, and the sublime. These darker elements, reflected in his night-time settings and dramatic use of candlelight, highlight his profound engagement with the complexities of human experience.

His depictions of thrilling Enlightenment-era scientific experiments and acts of observation are brought vividly to life in the ‘candlelight’ series. The exhibition will span Wright’s career between 1765-1773, showcasing iconic works such as Three Persons Viewing the Gladiator by Candlelight (1765, private collection), A Philosopher Giving a Lecture on the Orrery (1766, Derby Museum and Art Gallery), and the National Gallery’s own An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump (1768). For the first time in 35 years, these masterpieces will be exhibited together, tracing a thematic and visual lineage that cements Wright of Derby’s remarkable legacy.

A union of art, science, and morality

Wright of Derby’s ‘candlelight’ paintings bridge the visionary techniques of the 16th-century Baroque painter Caravaggio with the intellectual curiosity of the Enlightenment. At the heart of his art is the interplay of natural and artificial light—a symbolic tool that underscores the tension between discovery and moral ambiguity.

For example, in The Orrery, Wright captures a philosopher’s astronomical lecture, where an oil lamp stands in for the sun in a clockwork solar model. Similarly, the unsettling Air Pump juxtaposes human curiosity with compassion, showing onlookers grappling with the emotional and moral implications of scientific progress. These works reveal Wright’s fascination not only with light as a medium but with the intellectual and ethical dilemmas that defined his time.

A cultural turning point

The exhibition also situates Wright within a pivotal moment in art history—the latter half of the 18th century—when public art displays and contemporary exhibitions became increasingly popular. Completed in the same year as the establishment of the Royal Academy (1768), works like The Air Pump reflect Wright’s ambition to reach a broad and diverse audience. The exhibition will also feature mezzotint prints, luxury reproductions of his art that expanded his reputation across Europe and cemented his international acclaim.

A historic homecoming

While the National Gallery is offering a platform to reconsider Wright’s artistic significance, the exhibition’s eventual move to Derby Museum and Art Gallery in 2026 adds another layer to the story. Derby Museums, home to the largest collection of Wright’s work globally, will host over twenty featured pieces, including The Air Pump and The Orrery, bringing these masterpieces back to Wright’s hometown for the first time in 80 years. This collaborative effort not only celebrates Wright’s legacy but also honours his enduring connection to Derby.

A rare chance to see a luminary in his element

Adding to the legacy of recent National Gallery exhibitions such as Turner on Tour (2022) and Discover Constable & The Hay Wain (2024), Wright of Derby: From the Shadows promises to once again place a revered British artist under the spotlight. Featuring over 20 works, including paintings, works on paper, and contextual objects, it will offer a comprehensive insight into Wright’s artistic practice and the rich intellectual world of the Enlightenment.

Prepare to be captivated by this luminous exploration of Joseph Wright of Derby’s artistry. Whether discovering Wright for the first time or revisiting his masterpieces, audiences will leave the exhibition with an enriched understanding of his role in shaping art and thought in the 18th century.

Mark your calendars—this is one cultural event you won’t want to miss.

Wright of Derby: From the Shadows will be on view at the National Gallery in autumn 2025, before travelling to Derby Museum and Art Gallery in 2026. Keep an eye on the National Gallery’s website for ticket releases and updates.