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The difficulty I found in researching this painting is that Wright produced so many Sketches, Gouache and Oils of Vesuvius and the bay of Naples. The accounts of many of these paintings and the sale details can be found in Benedict Nicolson’s Joseph Wright of Derby. We also have a copy of his account book at Derby Museum.

During his travels in Italy in 1774 Wright produced paintings of the view from Posillipo (Capo di Posillipo) across the bay of Naples with Vesuvius in the distance, for example in his account book ‘a small picture of a distant view of Vesuvius from yẹ shore of Posillipo’ 1785. There are many paintings from this view but the provenance is well documented for the known works.

The lighthouse on the coast in the centre of the painting also suggests that it could be the one viewed from the Mole. Wright depicted this view his painting Vesuvius in Eruption c.1777-80 which is in a private collection (featured in Judy Egerton’s Wright of Derby) . Derby Museum has a sketch of Vesuvius from the Mole which also includes the lighthouse. The Mole was a popular place for artists to meet and the same view has been painted by Claude Vernet (1714 - 1789) and Thomas Jones (1742-1803).

Although many comparisons can be made with this painting and Joseph Wrights style in terms of composition and the dramatic use of light and dark, the detail seems very intricate and although Joseph Wright would be more than competent I would have expected some looser more dramatic brushstrokes in a painting of this nature, it’s difficult to see in the photograph. Another concern I would have is the size of the painting, it seems quite large and it would be surprising if it has remained untraced until now.

Vesuvius was a very popular subject with travelling artists in the 18th Century and some of the paintings in our collection are no longer attributed to Joseph Wright. It must be said that the painting in the hotel is a wonderful example but I am hesitant to say that it is a Wright.

I am very grateful for your interest in Joseph Wright and I will keep you informed of any further thoughts on the subject. Matthew Edwards Collections Access Assistant (Art) Derby Museum and Art Gallery.