Export bar placed on unique 18th century work by Joseph Wright of Derby
The First Art Newspaper on the Net    Established in 1996 Tuesday, November 26, 2024


Export bar placed on unique 18th century work by Joseph Wright of Derby
Two Boys with a Bladder by Joseph Wright of Derby (1734 - 1797), oil paint on canvas, 927 x 730 mm, probably 1768-70.



LONDON.- Arts Minister Helen Whately has placed an export bar on Joseph Wright of Derby’s ‘Two Boys with a Bladder’.

The work, completed between 1768 and 1770, is valued at £3,500,000 plus VAT and is at risk of being lost abroad unless a UK buyer can be found.

Joseph Wright of Derby (1734 - 1797) was an English painter and one of the most important artists of the 18th century. He is best known for his paintings of candle-lit subjects and scientific and industrial subjects and was a frequent contributor to the exhibitions of the Society of Artists and the Royal Academy. His works are reflective of a period when the nature of childhood and education were being debated.

Wright’s paintings demonstrate his masterful treatment of light effects and the work at risk of export features two boys blowing a bladder by candlelight - bladders were a common toy for children, either inflated like a balloon or filled with dried peas and shaken like a rattle. In art, bladders were often used to represent the fleeting nature of life and wealth to the fragility and transience of human life and wealth.

In the context of this work, the fact that the subjects are children adds an element of innocence versus experience, while the luminosity of the candlelight may refer to the illumination of knowledge. Representations of children blowing bladders were unique to Wright’s work and, at present, there are no examples of his autograph bladder paintings in UK public collections.

Arts Minister Helen Whately said: As one of the most important artists of the 18th century, it is of paramount importance that we keep the works of Joseph Wright of Derby in the UK.

This painting offers us a chance to learn more about his way of working and I hope that a buyer can be found to save this masterpiece so it can be studied and put on public display.

The Minister’s decision follows the advice of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest (RCEWA). The committee noted that the work represented an early example of elements of European art making their way into British art. They also noted the sophistication and importance of Wright’s work.

Committee Member Peter Barber said: A lively debate on education and the nature of childhood raged in Western Europe throughout the 1760s. Its ambiguities are exemplified in this striking and exquisitely executed painting of two boys playing, apparently innocently.

In a painting now in Kenwood House London, which may have been intended a pendant, Wright depicted two girls playing. I do hope the opportunity is taken to keep the boys in Britain!

The painting may have entailed an innovative use of metallic leaf used beneath the bladder to enhance the lustre of the surface. This, an unusual and short-lived technique, was unique to Wright’s works, making this painting potentially the only work in the UK where this process has been observed.

The RCEWA made its recommendation on the grounds of the paintings outstanding significance for the study of Joseph Wright of Derby and his working practice.

The decision on the export licence applications for the painting will be deferred until 16 January 2020. This may be extended until 16 May 2020 if a serious intention to raise funds to purchase it is made at the recommended price of £3,500,000 plus VAT.










Today's News

October 21, 2019

Which way to 'Starry Night'? A reimagined MoMA opens to the public

A jewel heist at the museum: How the beach boy burglars stole the Star of India

An immersive sound installation at MoMA introduces the Studio

With the Guggenheim, Frank Lloyd Wright built a soaring and intimate sanctuary for art

At MoMA, home movies that reveal the world

The Broad launches unprecedented survey of groundbreaking artist Shirin Neshat

Cuban ballet legend Alicia Alonso dead at 98

Betye Saar at MoMA: Prelude to a revolutionary breakthrough

Christie's announces La Ménagerie Design Sale

The Chrysler Museum of Art explores the architectural design practices and conflicting ideals of Thomas Jefferson

Vinik Family Foundation makes historic gift to the Tampa Museum of Art

Export bar placed on unique 18th century work by Joseph Wright of Derby

Frank Strausser's debut novel "Plastic" now in Amazon's top 5 best sellers in two categories

High Museum opens major Sally Mann photography exhibition

Museum der Moderne Salzburg examines the interpenetration of the city and the human body

Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam exhibits works by Prix de Rome Visual Arts 2019 finalists

Most substantial survey of George Stubbs in UK for 35 years showing at MK Gallery this autumn

MoMA announces publication on the history of MoMA PS1

A major UK retrospective of mid-century British painter Victor Willing opens at Hastings Contemporary

Christie's Collector Week including the Collection of Lee Bouvier Radziwill totals $6,578,125

Rembrandt etchings feature in Old Master through Modern Prints at Swann

Over generations, Inuit draw inspiration from an unforgiving land

Landmark watch auction series continues at Sotheby's with a tribute to A. Lange & Söhne

Christie's Geneva announces highlights of the Magnificent Jewels auction

Most Magical Place on Earth: Walt Disney World History

Juvenile crime is increasing in the USA at an alarming rate

Large numbers of Retail Stores in the USA are being closed down in 2019




Museums, Exhibits, Artists, Milestones, Digital Art, Architecture, Photography,
Photographers, Special Photos, Special Reports, Featured Stories, Auctions, Art Fairs,
Anecdotes, Art Quiz, Education, Mythology, 3D Images, Last Week, .

 



Founder:
Ignacio Villarreal
(1941 - 2019)
Editor & Publisher: Jose Villarreal
Art Director: Juan José Sepúlveda Ramírez
Writer: Ofelia Zurbia Betancourt

Attorneys
Truck Accident Attorneys
Accident Attorneys
Houston Dentist
Abogado de accidentes
สล็อต
สล็อตเว็บตรง
Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Royalville Communications, Inc
produces:

ignaciovillarreal.org juncodelavega.com facundocabral-elfinal.org
Founder's Site. Hommage
to a Mexican poet.
Hommage
       

The First Art Newspaper on the Net. The Best Versions Of Ave Maria Song Junco de la Vega Site Ignacio Villarreal Site Parroquia Natividad del Señor
Tell a Friend
Dear User, please complete the form below in order to recommend the Artdaily newsletter to someone you know.
Please complete all fields marked *.
Sending Mail
Sending Successful