- Artist
- Joseph Wright of Derby 1734–1797
- Medium
- Oil paint on canvas
- Dimensions
- Unconfirmed: 1905 × 1499 mm
frame: 2180 × 1770 × 120 mm - Collection
- Lent from a private collection 2007
On long term loan - Reference
- L02751
Online caption
This painting of Richard Arkwright Jr’s children playing spontaneously on their Derbyshire estate is one of a series of monumental portraits Joseph Wright made for the family. Collectively, the paintings demonstrated the Arkwrights’ increasing social and financial standing. Arkwright Jr was a cotton manufacturing entrepreneur who helped Derbyshire’s cotton mills become a leading site for Britain’s textile industry. He significantly improved machinery design and working conditions. When he died, Arkwright was described as ‘the richest commoner in Europe’.
Explore
- leisure and pastimes(3,435)
-
- recreational activities(2,836)
- agriculture, gardening & fishing(951)
-
- whip(45)
- groups(310)