Yale Center for British Art

Creator:
Joseph Wright of Derby, 1734–1797, British, active in Italy (1773–75)
Title:
The Prisoner
Date:
1787 to 1790
Materials & Techniques:
Oil on canvas
Dimensions:
16 x 18 1/2 inches (40.6 x 47 cm)
Inscription(s)/Marks/Lettering:
Signed, lower right: "I. W." [or J.W.]
Credit Line:
Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection
Copyright Status:
Public Domain
Accession Number:
B1981.25.715
Classification:
Paintings
Collection:
Paintings and Sculpture
Subject Terms:
correctional institution | genre subject | punishment | sadness | vaulted ceilings | prisoner | prison | window | arches | cell | architectural subject | dark
Currently On View:
Not on view
Exhibition History:
Captive Bodies: British Prisons, 1750-1900 (Yale Center for British Art, 2018-08-27 - 2018-12-17)

Art in Focus : Joseph Wright and the Spectacle of Science (Yale Center for British Art, 2007-03-30 - 2007-06-11)

Joseph Wright of Derby (Tate Britain, 1990-02-07 - 1990-04-22)
Publications:
Elizabeth E. Barker, A very great and uncommon genius in a peculiar way : Joseph Wright of Derby and candlelight painting in 18th century Britain [PhD Dissertation, New York University], ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, , 2003, p. 274, NJ18 W95 B37 2003A (YCBA)

William Bemrose, The Life and Works of Joseph Wright, A.R.A., Commonly Called "Wright of Derby.", Bemrose & sons, London and Derby, 1885, p. 122, Folio A N 86 (YCBA)

Douglas Blau, Fictions : a selection of pictures from the 18th, 19th & 20th centuries, November 17-December 31, 1987, Kent Fine Art, New York, 1987, no. 98, N6407 B53 (LSF)

Christie's sale catalogue : Important English pictures : 22 June 1979, Christie's, London, 22 June 1979, p. 71, lot 104, Fiche B51 (YCBA)

Malcolm Cormack, Concise Catalogue of Paintings in the Yale Center for British Art, Yale Center for British Art, New Haven, CT, 1985, pp. 264-265, N590.2 .A83 (YCBA)

Matthew Craske, Joseph Wright of Derby : Painter of darkness, The Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art, New Haven, pp. 4-5, fig. 6, NJ18.W95 C72 2020+ (YCBA)

Stephen Daniels, Joseph Wright, Tate Publishing, London, 1999, pp. 25, 26, fig. 15, NJ18 W95 D25 1999 (YCBA)

Judy Egerton, Wright of Derby, Tate Publishing, London, 1990, p. 125, no. 64, NJ18 W95 +E54 1990 Oversize (YCBA)

Exhibition Catalogue. 1789. 21st, Exhibition of the Royal Academy of Arts, no. 21, Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1789, p. 4, no. 67, N5054 A53 v. 1:2 nos 14-28 (YCBA)

Joseph Wright of Derby : a selection of paintings from the Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon. [Exhibition] November 22, 1969 to May 1, 1970, , National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, 1969, pp. 17, 32, no. 14, NJ18 W95 U5 (YCBA)

Benedict Nicolson, Joseph Wright of Derby : Painter of Light, Paul Mellon Foundation for British Art, London, New York, 1968, p. 182 (v.2), pp. 62, 242 (v.1), no. 284 (v.2), no. 218 (v.1), NJ18 W95 +N53 Oversize (YCBA)

Paul Mellon's Legacy : a passion for British art [large print labels], , Yale Center for British Art, New Haven, CT, 2007, v. 1, N5220 M552 P381 2007 OVERSIZE (YCBA)
Link:
https://collections.britishart.yale.edu/catalog/tms:1172