CHAPTER IX.
Death of Mrs. Wright.—Removes to Queen Street, Derby.—Wright’s Last Illness and Death.—Mr. J. Leigh Philips on the Character of Wright.—Sale of Wright’s Pictures in London and Derby.—Letters from J. Holland and Rev. Thos. Gisborne.
On August 19th 1790, Mrs. Wright died of consumption, aged 41. This loss inflicted a crushing domestic blow to her husband, whose health now began seriously to fail, and from his MS. Book we are enabled by the following receipt to fix the time when Wright left St. Helen’s house (which was soon after pulled down), and by the name of the owner of the property, Mr. Bainbrigge, we are enabled to identify the house in which Wright resided down to the time of his death. The receipt is as follows:—
“May 1, 1793. Settled with Mr Wright for half a year’s rent (Twenty pounds) due Lady Day last.
“THOMAS BAINBRIGGE, Jun.”
The house is No. 26, in Queen Street, and is the first house in the Parish of St. Alkmund—St. Michael’s being the adjoining parish. The Family Vault was in St. Michael’s Church, but we find the Painter’s family are interred in the church of the parish in which they lived. His niece, Miss Wright, says:—“He removed to a house in Queen Street, near to St. Alkmund’s Ch.; there the windows all looked into the street, or upon buildings at the back part. The gardens being beyond them, it was a dull prospect for him.” The house was roomy and substantial, with a large garden, which in Wright’s time would be open to the Cherry Orchard, now Orchard Street. The premises now open into Chapel Street. This house afterwards became the post office, until the year 1840, and is now in the occupation of Mr. Allen.
The buildings appear to be in much the same state now as they were at that time. Some outbuildings obstruct the view of the garden, an archway giving the only glimpse of what was then open country, and this peep was obtained by looking through a very pretty wrought iron gate, no doubt from the hammer and anvil of Bakewell, who has left many examples of his art and skill in the town and neighbourhood. A drawing of the gate is here given, as it is worthy of preservation.
During the latter part of 1795 he became too ill to use his pencil, and when his first grandchild was born in 1796, he talked of introducing her in an unfinished portrait of her mother, in the place of a music book, but the picture was left unaltered, as were the portraits of his brother and his wife. He was so pleased with his brother’s portrait at the first sitting, that he said “he should be afraid of touching it again, lest the likeness should not be so good,” and so it remained.
GARDEN ENTRANCE TO HOUSE IN QUEEN STREET, DERBY.
In the month of May, 1797, he took to his bed; about this time his nose bled to such a degree as to prevent his lying down, and from the feeble state he was in, he had not strength to hold up his head for long together. A broad ribbon was therefore tied to each side of the head of the bed, upon which he rested his chin, and this simple contrivance afforded him great relief. His sufferings, from a complication of diseases, were very great, and he gradually became weaker. His daughter Harriet attended him night and day during this his last illness, and on the afternoon of the 29th of August, 1797, he expressed his pleasure at having those around him he had always loved. About two hours before he died, his friend, Mr. Tate, of Liverpool, having come to Derby, was anxious to see him, and was admitted. Wright seemed pleased to see his old friend, though he could scarcely articulate, but he drew with his fingers upon the sheet, as if expressive of the pleasure they formerly enjoyed together in following that pursuit. He was buried on September 1st, 1797, in St. Alkmund’s Church, and the following inscription was placed on a tablet[47] erected to his memory:—
In the Middle Isle, Opposite to this Pillar, are Deposited the
Remains of Joseph Wright, Esq.,
Painter.
He Died August 29th, 1797, in the 63rd Year of His Age.
His well earn’d Merit in his Works is shown,
Where Taste and Genius mark him for their own.
MONUMENT IN ST. ALKMUND’S CHURCH, DERBY.
On an old paper, on which was written the above couplet, there was also the following lines:—
His age & Death alone are here expressed,
All friends to Taste and Genius know the rest.
Mr. Jno. Leigh Philips, who wrote an account[48] of Wright shortly after his death, thus writes of him:—
“In his person he was rather above the middle size, and when young was esteemed a very handsome man; his company was then much courted on account of his pleasing vivacity and convivial habits; his eyes were prominent and very expressive; in his manners he was mild, unassuming, modest to an extreme, generous and full of sensibility, with the perfect carriage of a gentleman; honourable and punctual in all his transactions, he entertained the most utter contempt for everything like meanness or illiberality; and his good heart felt but too poignantly for the misconduct of others.
“I may truly observe of him that he stedfastly acted on the principle of always continuing to learn; from conversation, from examining pictures, and, above all, from the study of nature, he was constantly endeavouring to advance in the knowledge of his art; and to this habit, as wise as it was modest, of considering himself through life as a learner, no small share of his excellence may be ascribed. This disposition was naturally attended with a candid readiness to adopt, from the practice of other artists, new modes of proceeding, when they appeared to him rational, and to make trial in studies on a small scale of such as seemed in a tolerable degree promising.
“We shall conclude our account of Mr. Wright, in his private capacity as a man, with observing that he repeatedly evinced much liberality, by giving valuable pictures to individuals among his private friends, or to persons to whom he thought himself obliged. In various instances these gifts were manifestly disinterested; and they were always conferred in a very pleasing manner, which declined rather than sought the expression of gratitude.
“In addition to the character which he merits for the executive part of his art, it is pleasing to record, that in his works the attention is ever directed to the cause of virtue: that his early historical pictures consist of subjects either of rational or moral improvement, and he has succeeded admirably in arresting the gentler feelings of humanity, for what eye or heart ever remained unmoved at the sight of ‘Maria,’ Sterne’s ‘Captive,’ or the ‘Dead Soldier.’ In his works ‘not one immoral, one corrupted thought’ occurs to wound the eye of delicacy, or induce a wish that so exquisite a pencil had not found employment on more worthy subjects. His pictures may be considered as the reflexion of his own delicate mind, and will be ranked by posterity as treasures worthy the imitation of succeeding generations.”
The following letter from Mr. Philips to Dr. Wright is of interest:—
“Manchester, Nov. 18, 1797.
“Dear Sir,
“You will receive herewith a dozen copies of my account of your late worthy Brother, which I have got printed more carefully than was the case in the magazine, in which several errors had escaped correction. Some few still remain as they were printed in London, & I had no proof-sheet sent down. I will thank you to present a copy to Mr. Holland when you have an opportunity, with my respectful compliments. I have only to lament my inability to do justice to the character of my much-valued friend, as it requires abilities much beyond my scope to point out the beauties of his works, which go far beyond every modern effort of art, & I do not expect to live to see them equalled.
“Believe me, with great truth,
“Dear Sir,
“Your faithful, hble. servt,
“J. LEIGH PHILIPS.
“P.S.—My friend Tate brought me a mourning ring, for which accept my grateful thanks.”
“Derby, Irongate, 27 Nov., 1797.
“To Mr. Philips.
“Dear Sir,
“I was honored with the parcel last Monday containing the copies of Memoirs of my late Bro’s Life. I return you my most grateful thanks for them, and think myself much obliged for the very great attention you have shewn in publishing the History of my Brother’s Life, wherein you have exhibited with great judgment and accuracy everything needful to adorn his character and abilities. The errors you have corrected in the Magazine are considerable, and make the production more valuable.
“RICHD WRIGHT.”
Prefixed to this notice of Wright, by Mr. Philips, was an engraved portrait of the artist by Blake.
JOSEPH WRIGHT. Etched by himself.
Amongst the effects of the late Mr. Geo. Cumberland, who was an intimate friend of Blake’s, was found an etching, evidently the one that served Blake as his copy, on which is written, “Wright, of Derby; etched by himself.” This is the only instance known of Wright having used the etching point.
I am indebted to Mr. Wm. Edkins, not only for this information, but for the unique etching itself, which is here reproduced.
The following is a copy of the catalogue of the drawings and paintings finished and unfinished that were sold by Christie, on May 6th, 1801, with the prices realized and the names of the purchasers. This, with the copy of Wright’s MS. book, to be found in the appendix, will form a very complete list of his principal works:—
A
Catalogue
OF
THE GENUINE COLLECTION
OF
PICTURES,
BEING
A Selection of the most Capital Performances of that esteemed Artist,
Mr. Joseph Wright, of Derby,
DECEASED:
COMPRISING
A VIEW of ULLSWATER, several others in and near Rome, Naples, &c.
The Old Man and Death; The Widow of an Indian Chief;
AND
A CAPITAL VIEW OF AN ERUPTION OF VESUVIUS,
Besides many other interesting Subjects.
Which will be Sold by Auction,
BY MR. CHRISTIE,
AT HIS ROOM,
(No. 118, late the Royal Academy) in Pall Mall,
On WEDNESDAY, MAY the 6th, 1801,
AT TWELVE o’CLOCK.
May be Viewed Two Days preceding the Sale, when Catalogues may be had in Pall Mall.
A Catalogue, &c.
WEDNESDAY, MAY the 6th, 1801.
PICTURES.
FINIS.
J. Smeeton, Printer, 148, St. Martin’s Lane.
Mr. J. Holland, of Ford Hall, one of Wright’s executors, attended the sale at Christie’s, and on his return wrote the following quaint letter to Dr. Wright, the artist’s brother:—
“Ford, Augt 11th 1801.
“Dear Sir,
“On the 14th July & at 4 o’clock in the morning, Mrs. Holland and myself passed through Derby on our return from full ten weeks busling in noisy London. While the chaise was preparing at Derby, I could not forbear viewing the outside of your habitation, and wishing that the hour had been more seasonable that I might have seen how you all would have admired the Country Squire returned, and that you in your turn might have had an opportunity to have discovered the vast improvements I had made in Town manners, &c., &c. I had also with me your Brother’s drawings from Michael Angelo, which I wanted much to have left with you. They are, however, very safe here. I was not able to forward the disposal of them, tho’ I showed them to several artists, who commended them very highly. They were all of opinion that they should have been sold with the pictures. Do you remember Dr. Bates, who many years ago lived in your Town, and removed from thence to Aylesbury. Having been a long time in Rome, he knew the subjects perfectly, and thought them very fine studies. I want much to come to Derby, but cannot say when at present. I have very fine impressions both of Sir Richd. Arkwright and the ‘Tempest,’ which I trust to convey to those they are intended for in due time. I can say with my whole heart, that there was not a landscape in the Exhibition that could be compared to what used to be the production of your Brother’s pencil. But this I thought ill-manners to advance in London. The artists, indeed, I must say, whom I conversed with, were by no means niggardly in their commendations of Mr. Wright’s works. There were at the Exhibition some fine coloured drawings, particularly by Turner, who appears to be a very rising genius. Sir W. Beechy, Hopner, & Lawrence seem all three pretty near an equality. I shall leave all my rare anecdotes till I meet the worthy circle, and then you shall be told the wonders & no wonders that occurred to the Derbyshire man’s visit to London after 33 years’ absence. My kind regards and wishes to you and yours, and also at Spondon. The accounts, &c., shall come, when the bearer will be yours sincerely,
“J. HOLLAND.”
It will be noticed that the pictures were nearly all bought by private persons, and not by dealers; also that several pictures were “bought in” at the sale at Christie’s in 1801, which were afterwards sold in Derby, in 1810, at considerably enhanced prices. The following is a copy of the catalogue, the original being in the Mayer Collection:—
Note.—I am greatly indebted to Mr. Mayer, of Liverpool, for kindly allowing me the use of his collection of letters relating to Wright.
CATALOGUE OF
THE GENUINE COLLECTION OF
PICTURES,
Being a Selection of the most CAPITAL PERFORMANCES, of that esteemed Artist,
Mr. JOSEPH WRIGHT, of Derby, deceased.
COMPRISING
The Alchymist;—The Old Man and Death;—A Philosopher in his Study, by lamp-light;—and
A capital View of an Eruption of Vesuvius:
Besides several other interesting Subjects;
Which will be Sold by Auction,
BY MR. SHAW,
AT THE TOWN HALL, IN DERBY,
On THURSDAY the 11th day of October, 1810,
(The Sale to commence immediately after the Morning’s Musical Performance.)[49]
May be viewed at the Town Hall, from Monday the 8th October, until twelve o’clock on Thursday the 11th of October. Admission, One Shilling, to be given to the Infirmary.
Conditions of Sale.
The highest bidder to be the purchaser; should any dispute arise, the lot to be put up again.
The purchaser to pay immediately the auction duty, in addition to the purchase money. The Pictures to be at the purchaser’s risk immediately on the fall of the hammer, and taken away at his expence.
Lastly.—In case of any purchasers neglecting to fulfil their conditions, the lots to be resold, and the deficiency upon such resale (should any arise,) and all expences thereon, to be borne and paid by the defaulter of the present sale.
THURSDAY 11th October, 1810.
PICTURES.
| Prices sold for | Purchasers. | ||||
| £ | s. | d. | Lots. | ||
| — | 1 | A Hilly Landscape, with a slated Barn; 1 foot 8 by 1 foot 4 inches. | Unsold. | ||
| 23 | 2 | 0 | 2 | View of an Eruption of Mount Vesuvius by Moon-light, with a view of the Bay of Naples; 2 feet 7 by 2 feet 1 inch. | Mr. Snowden, Spondon. |
| 43 | 1 | 0 | 3 | A Philosopher in his Study by Lamp-light, a highly finished and brilliant coloured Picture; 4 feet 2 by 3 feet 4 inches, (upright.) | Mr. Tate, Liverpool. |
| 105 | 0 | 0 | 4 | Lusignan in Prison; the interior finely illumined; capital; 4 feet 2 by 3 feet 4 inches. | Mr. Chappell, Arnold. |
| 84 | 0 | 0 | 5 | The Allegory of the Old Man and Death, in a picturesque Landscape; a River scene with Gothic Ruins.—A very correct knowledge of Anatomy is displayed in the Figure of Death; the Alarm of the old Peasant is finely expressed, and the Lights throughout the Picture are uncommonly brilliant; 4 feet 2 by 3 feet 4 inches. | Sir R. Wilmot, Chaddesden. |
| 105 | 0 | 0 | 6 | William and Margaret, from the popular Ballad; capital; 4 feet 9 by 4 feet 1 inch. | Miss Wright, Spondon. |
| — | 7 | Romeo and Juliet in the Sepulchre, a spirited Composition; the interest considerably heightened by the shadows of Figures approaching the Tomb; capital; 7 feet 11 by 5 feet 11 inches. | Unsold. | ||
| 210 | 0 | 0 | 8 | The Alchymist in his Elaboratory with Assistance.—This admirable performance presents a happy display of the Artist’s talents; the effect of Light issuing from the sand heat, and reflected from the retort and surrounding implements, is contrived with surprising effect, amounting to perfect illusion; truly capital, 4 feet 2 by 3 feet 4 inches; (upright.) | Col. Wilson, Wooton Lodge. |
| — | 9 | A grand Eruption of Vesuvius, seen across the Bay of Naples, by Moon-light.—This magnificent scene so often attempted by the pencils of various Masters, has surely never been expressed with more grandeur than in this Effort of Mr. Wright.—The effect is awful beyond description; Earth, Air and Water appear as but one Element. It is thus that real genius can manage Nature at its will; and the Artist who transfers her to the canvas with so much truth, kindles a light, which will ever be reflected with lustre upon his own Name; 5 feet 11 by 4 feet 1 inch. | Unsold. | ||
| 15 | 15 | 0 | 10 | Portrait of a Lady, (unclaimed.) | Mr. Bateman, Foston. |
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 11 | Ditto of a Gentleman, (unclaimed.) | Mr. Sewell, Leicester. |
N. B. These Paintings have not been copied.
Catalogues may be had of Mr. Shaw, Mr. Mosley, and at the principal Inns in Derby.
(J. Drewry, Printer, Derby.)
“Matlock Old Bath, Sep. 3rd 1797.
“To Mr. Wright, Surgeon, Irongate, Derby.
“Sir,
“On passing through Derby, on Thursday last, I was on the point of sending a servant to your brother’s, for the purpose of making enquiries concerning him (meaning to go afterwards myself, if his health admitted), when I heard with much concern of his death. I feel sincere regret for a friend whom I had long known and valued highly. Mrs. Gisborne & myself, on our return through Derby yesterday, would have been glad to send our enquiries to Mr. Wright’s, but I was doubtful whether it might not then be premature to do so. I will therefore trouble you to express, at a proper opportunity, to Mrs. Cade & the rest of the family, our concern for their loss, and our sincere wishes for their health.
“I am, Sir,
“Your faithful & obedient servant,
“THOS. GISBORNE.”
With these notices of the death of Wright, and the subsequent sale of his pictures, my task is ended.
As the materials at my command have enabled me, I have striven to present a faithful record of his artistic and private life. As an artist, his genius was recognised in his own day; and it is satisfactory to know that his industrious pencil provided an ample income, and enabled him to realise a very sufficient competence for the years when age and infirmity grew upon him. But there were drawbacks to his attainment of greater fame and honours. He was a man of great sensitiveness, and of strong domestic feelings and habits. His retiring disposition, and the depressing maladies from which he suffered during many years of his life, indisposed him both mentally and physically for a residence in London, where an active life would have opened out to him more extended patronage and consequent advancement in his profession. As a man, the perusal of much private correspondence in addition to that here published, has led me to form a high estimate of his character. Loving in his family relationships, he was a faithful and generous friend, and of large sympathies.
His private life reflects as great honour on his name, as do his works on his artistic repute. The latter his own hand has imperishably handed down to us, and his memory may well be cherished as one who has shed undying lustre on his native town.
FINIS.