Joseph Wright of Derby, A.R.A.

Commissioned by the sitter's family;
thence by descent

Benedict Nicolson, Joseph Wright of Derby, Painter of Light, 1968, Vol.I, p. 2 and pp.212-13, no.106

STRUCTURE The canvas has been lined. PAINT SURFACE There is a characteristic weave of craquelure, but there are no apparent tears or damages and the work is in generally good condition. ULTRAVIOLET Examination under ultraviolet light reveals some minor retouching to lines of craquelure in the face, and some minor touches in the upper right hand background. FRAME Held in a carved and gilded Rococo style frame.
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NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

WRIGHT OF DERBY AND THE MASONS OF MORTON HALL

The Masons were a prominent Nottinghamshire family in the later 17^th and early 18^th Century. They settled at Eaton, south of Retford where they had estates and were involved in the local leather trade. They also had considerable political power being one of the eight families who controlled the voting of the rotten borough of East Retford which returned two MPs to Westminster. The family acquired additional estates including the Manor of Morton in 1746. They continued to prosper and it was typical that they should sit for their portraits to the most famous of all Midland artists, Joseph Wright of Derby.

Having established himself in his native Derby as a portrait painter in the 1750s, in 1760 Wright had sufficient confidence in himself to embark on a protracted tour of his neighbouring Midland towns. Offering his service as portrait painted to local middle-class families, he was in Retford, Nottinghamshire and then Lincoln in March. By April he had returned to Retford whilst also visiting Newark, Boston, Thorne and Doncaster in that same year. During one of these frequent visits to Retford Wright painted the present three portraits of members of the Mason family of Morton Hall.