Joseph Wright of Derby, A.R.A.

half-length, wearing a brown coat with white collar

B. Nicolson, Joseph Wright of Derby; Painter of Light, 1968, vol. I, p. 178;
E.E. Barker & A. Kidson, Joseph Wright of Derby in Liverpool, 2007, p. 54

STRUCTURE The canvas has been lined. PAINT SURFACE The painting appears to be in very good condition and has been cleaned. ULTRAVIOLET Examination under ultraviolet light reveals retouching to the dark areas in the background, eather side of the sitter, as well as minor retouching in the sitter's costume. FRAME Held in a gilded wooden frame.
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During Wright's twenty-five months in Liverpool he secured commissions from many of its leading citizens including; Thomas Parke, a linen merchant, Thomas Staniforth a merchant and later Mayor and John Atherton a merchant with investments in the Greenland fisheries.[1] This portrait of 'Mr Atherton' is recorded but hitherto has been untraced.

John Atherton was a member of the Liverpool Library which was housed in a building owned by William Everard. Wright rented a studio and public reception place from Everard in the same building at 30 John Street. This clearly presented Wright with an opportunity to meet potential patrons. At least five Library members are recorded sitting to Wright including Thomas Parke and Thomas Staniforth mentioned above.[2]

Close comparison of this portrait and the Portrait of Thomas Staniforth, 1769 (Tate Gallery) in particular demonstrate the similarity of Wright's approach to portraying his male sitters at this time. Portrayed sitting within intimate proximity to the viewer, the sitters look directly but informally towards the viewer. A dramatic dark background is softened by the use of a paler area behind the sitter's head which serves to heighten the facial features and lifelike appearance of the character.

[1] see G. Williams, History of the Liverpool Privateers and Letters of Marque with an Account of the Liverpool Slave Trade, 1744-1812, 1897, p. 82 as quoted in E. Barker & A. Kidson, op.cit, p. 54, ff. 69.
[2] E. Barker & A. Kidson, op.cit., 2007, pp. 45,46.