One of the most instantly recognizable paintings in art history will take center stage at the National Gallery this winter, though many viewers may not immediately know why it feels so familiar. The centerpiece will be from Joseph Wright's remarkable collection of candlelight paintings, featuring works by the Derby-based artist who is often considered the first professional painter to capture the spirit of the Industrial Revolution.
Wright, commonly known as Wright of Derby, distinguished himself through his masterful use of tenebrism, an exaggerated artistic technique that emphasizes dramatic contrasts between light and dark. His specialty in painting candle-lit subjects has made him one of the most distinctive voices of 18th-century art. The upcoming exhibition will showcase his complete candlelight series, marking a significant cultural event for art enthusiasts.
According to the National Gallery, Wright of Derby has traditionally been viewed as a figurehead of the Enlightenment, representing the period of scientific, philosophical, and artistic development that flourished in the 17th and 18th centuries. However, this exhibition challenges that conventional interpretation, contributing to an ongoing re-evaluation of the artist's work. Rather than simply portraying him as a painter of light, the exhibition reveals Wright as an artist who deliberately explored nighttime themes to engage with deeper and more somber subjects, including death, melancholy, morality, skepticism, and the sublime.
The exhibition represents a rare opportunity for art lovers, as it marks the first time in 35 years that several of Wright's most famous works will be brought together in one location. Additionally, visitors will have the chance to see works that haven't been displayed in the United Kingdom for over a decade, making this a truly exceptional gathering of the artist's most significant pieces.
Among the featured masterpieces is "An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump," where a traveling lecturer demonstrates a well-established scientific experiment to a family audience whose reactions range from wonder to horror. This painting perfectly exemplifies Wright's ability to capture both scientific curiosity and human emotion in a single, dramatically lit scene.
Another highlighted work is "The Orrery," which was the first of Wright's paintings to focus on a scientific subject. In this piece, a philosopher presents a lecture on astronomy using a clockwork model of the solar system as the centerpiece, with the sun replaced by an oil lamp that provides the painting's characteristic warm glow.
The exhibition will also feature "Three Persons Viewing the Gladiator by Candlelight," where one artist holds up a drawing of the central sculpture for critical assessment. These works collectively explore the moral ambiguity inherent in acts of looking and observation, while also examining the intellectual influence of high art on society.
To enhance the educational experience, the exhibition will display authentic scientific instruments from the Enlightenment era. These include an original orrery and an air pump from the late 1700s, both on loan from the Whipple Museum of the History of Science at Cambridge University. These artifacts will help visitors understand the scientific context that inspired Wright's remarkable paintings.
The exhibition, titled "Wright of Derby: From the Shadows," will open at the National Gallery in November, with tickets currently available for purchase. This comprehensive showcase promises to offer new insights into one of Britain's most innovative artists and his unique approach to capturing the intersection of science, art, and human emotion.
After the London exhibition concludes, the collection will travel to Derby Museum and Art Gallery in 2026, bringing Wright's legacy full circle. This move will mark a historic homecoming, as two of Wright's most famous works, "The Air Pump" and "The Orrery," will return to his hometown for the first time in 80 years, offering local residents and regional visitors a chance to connect with their artistic heritage.
