Indian Widow
| Indian Widow | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Artist | Joseph Wright of Derby |
| Year | 1783/1784 |
| Medium | Oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 101.6 cm × 127 cm (40.0 in × 50 in) |
| Location | Derby Museum and Art Gallery, Derby |
Indian Widow is a painting by
Description
Indian Widow was a title used by the painter, but a longer and more descriptive title also exists, The Widow of an Indian Chief Watching the Arms of Her Deceased Husband. According to Benedict Nicolson, in clothing the figure of the widow, Wright "has fallen back on those well-worn neo-classic draperies which served for any distressed female". Nicolson finds that other details, however, are more authentic: "the form of her head-band, the treatment of the feathers, the quilled cords and knife-sheath, and the buffalo-robe painted on the skin side show knowledge of Indian technology from at least as far west as the upper Great Lakes: this proves that Wright used authentic props".
In contrast with Wright's paintings of candlelit scenes, here the main figure is seen silhouetted against sunlight and a stormy sky.
Similar work
An engraving of this painting was made by another Derby artist,
References
- ^ "Art treasure - the Indian Widow". Archived from the original on 5 March 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2011., Derby City Council, accessed March 2011
- ^ "The Widow of an Indian Chief Watching the Arms of Her Deceased Husband | Art UK". artuk.org. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ Nicolson, p. 148
- ^ The Widow of an Indian Chief Watching the Arms of her Deceased Husband, (Clayton 31), John Raphael Smith, Christies.com
- ^ Indian Widow Archived 5 March 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Derby City Council, accessed March 2011
- ^ Joseph Wright of Derby, Liverpool Museums, accessed March 2010
- ^ Two companion pieces by Wright of Derby, B. Nicholson, accessed March 2011
Bibliography
- Nicolson, Benedict (1968). Joseph Wright of Derby: Painter of Light. Vol. 1, p. 148.