Moonlight Landscape
Artist
Joseph Wright of Derby
(British, 1734 – 1797)
Datec. 1785
CultureBritish
MediumOil on canvas
ClassificationPaintings
ProvenancePurchased by The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, September 1972 from David David Inc., Philadelphia
Credit LineMuseum purchase, 1972
Object numberSN906
Wright was fascinated by light, both natural and artificial, and made it the subject of many of his paintings. This scene is based on careful observation; note especially the translucent clouds at upper left, the gradations of filtered color in the sky, and the light falling on the large tree at right. Yet it is also a skillful invention: we know the moon will only remain behind the bridge for a brief moment, and this heightens the painting’s sense of quiet drama and wonder.
On View
On viewLocation
- Museum of Art, Gallery 16, Wall West
Collections
Image: 24 5/8 × 29 3/4 in. (62.5 × 75.5 cm)
last quarter of 1600s or first quarter of 1700s
