Joseph Wright of Derby, A.R.A. 1734-1797

Joseph Wright of Derby was to produce over thirty views of Mount Vesuvius following his stay in Naples in October and November 1774. Despite there being no major eruptions while Wright was in Naples, in fact there had not been an eruption since 1767, Sir William Hamilton reported that since 1767, 'Vesuvius had never been free from smoke, nor ever many months without throwing up red-hot scoriae, usually follow'd by a current of liquid lava.' He went on to add that 'it is impossible to describe the beautiful appearance of the Girandolas of red hot stones, far surpassing the most astonishing artificial fire-work' (see Benedict Nicolson, Joseph Wright of Derby Painter of Light, 1968, vol. 1, p. 80). Wright of Derby specifically studied such artificial light effects, and his subsequent fascination with the smouldering Mount Vesuvius and his prolific output of illustrative drawings and oil paintings attest to the volcano's hold upon his imagination. 

It is apparent that this drawing is not specfically a preparatory design. However, it does appear closest in composition to Vesuvius in Eruption, with a View over the Islands in the Bay of Naples, c. 1776-80, (Tate Gallery, Britain). In both, the sea and islands are visible on the right hand side of the view, the volcano erupts left of centre, and rocks rise up on the left hand side. The formation of the clouds and smoke in the sky is also similar, with the moon visible amongst the clouds on the right. 

The later inscription on the drawing is believed to have been added by Wright's friend John Holland of Ford Hall in Derbyshire. Holland was an Executor of Wright's Will, and involved not only in clearing his studio after his death, but also in arranging the posthumous sale. According to the 'Memoir of Wright's Life' written by his neice Hannah (Derby Local Studies Library), Holland also appears to have acted as intermediary between various friends and patrons of Wright who wished to acquire some of the artist's drawings, asking them to 'select and mark' the items in which they were interested. For example, another Vesuvius drawing, also illustrated in Nicolson, (op.cit., vol. 2, pl. 164), is inscribed in ink: 'This drawing was done by Mr Wright of Derby and was given to Mr. Gisborne by Mr. Holland of Ford.' The Rev. Thomas Gisborne was a close friend and patron of Wright.