Museum number
A340
Object
Framed oil painting: The Dead Soldier by Joseph Wright of Derby (1734–1797), c.1789
Description
On the left, in front of a screen of drapery hung on a tree, seated figure of a young woman bowed down with face averted over the arm, held across her lap, of an officer in scarlet lying at her feet. Wearing a blue dress, she holds a babe.This is one of at least four known version of "The Dead Soldier" by Joseph Wright of Derby. The soldier leaves his grieving widow and her child, who gazes out at the viewer. A battle continues in the background. The subject comes from John Langthorne's poem "Country Justice" (1774-1777), where the writer argues for better provision for soldier's widows.
Materials
Oil
On display?
Yes

Further description

Simple name
Painting
Dimensions
framed: 12.0000cm (d) x 93.5cm (h) x 107.0000cm (w)
regular: 73.7cm (h) x 60.9cm (w)
The Dead Soldier Joseph Wright of Derby (1734–1797) Oil on canvas, about 1789 Joseph Wright worked in Bath from 1775 to 1777. Later in his career, he chose touching subjects from contemporary literature. The Dead Soldier was one of the most successful of these, and there are several versions: this one may be by a follower of the artist. A mother grieves over her dead husband and her future poverty. Her baby’s pink hand clutches the corpse’s white one, while his eyes gaze out pitifully at the viewer. Meanwhile, the battle rages on, glimpsed through foliage. A340 Presented in memory of Dr J Maurice Harper, 1939

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