Joseph Wright: Painter of the Enlightenment

Kenwood House Volunteer, John Hayward, gives an online talk on Joseph Wright (of Derby) (1734 – 1797). One of Wright’s paintings, ‘Two Girls Dressing a Kitten by Candlelight’, hangs in the great art collection at Kenwood House, London. John Hayward’s talk entitled ‘Joseph Wright, Painter of the Enlightenment’ traces the life of Joseph Wright and illustrates his unique position in the 18th century art canon. He was a versatile artist; as well as the most successful portrait painter working outside of London, he captured the effects of light and shadow in the Caravaggisti tradition, painted landscapes encapsulating the sentiment of the Enlightenment, and recorded the industrial revolution like no other living artist. And yet he was not well-known outside of England and somehow lacked the international status of some of his contemporaries, such as Reynolds, Romney and Gainsborough. Introduction music: Anna Bon of Venice (b1738), Flute Sonata op. 1 (published 1756). Fade out music: Joseph Haydn (1732 -1809), ‘The Creation’ (written 1797-8, first performed 1799). Haydn visited England in 1791-2 and again in 1794-5 and it is believed that he was inspired to write ‘The Creation’ after hearing work by Handel. Both Bon and Haydn lived and worked at the Esterházy Court at Eisenstadt where their patron was Prince Nikolaus I, Anna Bon for just a few years from 1762, while Joseph Haydn was in the employ of the Esterházys from 1760 until his death. Produced by Friends of Kenwood www.friendsofkenwood.org.uk