The Fitzwilliam Museum - University of Cambridge

Joseph Wright
(1734–1797)
A lighthouse on fire at night
Oil on canvas
36.2 x 50.8 cm
Purchased from the Fairhaven
and Cunliffe Funds with a grant
from the National Lottery through
the Heritage Lottery Fund, and a
contribution from the Friends of
the Fitzwilliam Museum.
PD.33-2006
Wright visited Italy between 1773 and 1775,
where he developed his growing interest in
landscape painting and was inspired by the
works of contemporaries active in Rome at
the time, notably Joseph Vernet (1714–1789).
A version of the same scene at Tate Britain,
painted in calmer conditions, with a more
limpid, reflective light, suggests that he was
also inspired by Vernet’s habit of painting
landscape and coastal views as pairs,
contrasting atmospheric effects at different
times of the day.
This dramatic, moonlit landscape was
painted for John Leigh Philips (1761–1814),
one of Wright’s closest friends in his later
years. Philips was a successful silk weaver
and among the most significant
collectors of books, paintings, drawings
and prints in Manchester. In December
1792, Wright wrote to Philips from Italy
explaining the growing appeal which
landscape painting exercised over him:
‘I know not how it is, tho’ I am ingaged
in portraits … I find myself continually
stealing off, and getting into Landscapes.’
Although the subject is developed from
a sketch of Vesuvius from the Mole
(1774, Derby City Museum and Art
Gallery), the landscape is also based on
that at Whitby on the Yorkshire coast.
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