Joseph Wright of Derby: An introduction to his life and work through the collection at Derby Museums by Lucy Bamford and Jonathan Wallis

When we published the first edition of this guide 
back in May 2017, we hoped, but certainly did 
not expect, that we would sell enough copies to 
warrant a reprint. That this second edition has 
provided us with an opportunity to make some 
much-needed revisions, as well as some additions, 
is doubly welcome.

At Derby Museums, work continues apace on 
enhancing the collection of Wright’s work and 
making this available to as wide an audience as 
possible. In 2019 we received a boost to our efforts 
in the form of a Digital Project Grant from the Paul 
Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art, which is 
allowing us to not only re-catalogue the collection, 
but to publish our full holdings online. Crucially, 
this project has enabled us to commission new, 
high-resolution photographs of individual items, a 
number of which are reproduced for the first time 
in this book.

Published by Derby Museums. Revised and updated with additional content April 2024.
© Derby Museums 2017
No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, 
electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the permission of Derby Museums.

ISBN: 978-1-3999-8448-5      
Derby Museums is an independent trust that cares for and shares the museum collections belonging to Derby 
City Council.
Front Cover: Self-Portrait at the Age of about Forty, c.1772, oil on canvas. Photograph c/o Omnia