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Portrait of a woman, her head turned to the right, wearing an earring

1770–72
Not on view
One of the most inventive artists of his generation, Wright sent striking night images of contemporary subjects to London from his home in Derby. This drawing belongs to a group of pastel and chalk head studies he made before departing for Italy in 1773. While the work demonstrates a masterful ability to capture a likeness, it has not been linked to a known sitter. Indeed, the open-necked gown and averted gaze suggest a character head rather than a portrait. Delicacy of touch and astonishing control of grisaille pastel allowed the artist to depict subtle transitions of light and varying textures. Careful finish is married to an impression of arrested movement, with strong raking light conveying a palpable sense of physical presence.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Portrait of a woman, her head turned to the right, wearing an earring
  • Artist: Joseph Wright (Wright of Derby) (British, Derby 1734–1797 Derby)
  • Date: 1770–72
  • Medium: Pastel on blue laid paper
  • Dimensions: sheet: 15 7/8 x 11 in. (40.3 x 28 cm)
  • Classification: Drawings
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 2007
  • Object Number: 2007.40
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Curved wall, round tower and distant villa, near St. Peter's at Rome (Smaller Italian sketchbook, leaf 8 recto), Joseph Wright (Wright of Derby) British, Pen and ink, brush and gray wash
Curved wall, round tower and distant villa, near St. Peter's at Rome (Smaller Italian sketchbook, leaf 8 recto)
Joseph Wright (Wright of Derby)
1774–75
Large Italian sketchbook (containing 11 drawings on 94 leaves)
Joseph Wright (Wright of Derby)
1774–75
Institutional buildings, a garden, and a church at Rome (Smaller Italian sketchbook, leaf 6 recto), Joseph Wright (Wright of Derby) British, Brush and gray ink wash
Institutional buildings, a garden, and a church at Rome (Smaller Italian sketchbook, leaf 6 recto)
Joseph Wright (Wright of Derby)
1774–75
Ruined monument near Rome (Smaller Italian sketchbook, leaf 5 recto), Joseph Wright (Wright of Derby) British, Brush and gray and yellow ink wash or watercolor, over graphite
Ruined monument near Rome (Smaller Italian sketchbook, leaf 5 recto)
Joseph Wright (Wright of Derby)
1774–75
Roman ruins Including an arched aqueduct and tower (Smaller Italian sketchbook, leaf 2 recto), Joseph Wright (Wright of Derby) British, Brush and gray and yellow ink wash or watercolor
Roman ruins Including an arched aqueduct and tower (Smaller Italian sketchbook, leaf 2 recto)
Joseph Wright (Wright of Derby)
1774–75

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