Evening Talk: Joseph Wright and the Enlightenment in the Midlands

Presented by: The Arkwright Society at Cromford Mills

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0	ONLINE: Zoom
P	Thursday 25th March, 2021
N	6:45pm

Event information

Have you ever wondered what a painting can tell you about history?

Join Bob Moulder for a fascinating online talk and find out why the products of Joseph Wright’s “bold pencil” offered a window into so many aspects of the Enlightenment and the early Industrial Revolution, both in the Midlands and the wider world.

This overview of the career of Joseph Wright, who was acclaimed as "the first professional painter to express the spirit of the Industrial Revolution", will focus on a selection of his works, each of which introduces us to an aspect of the Enlightenment in Britain.

Wright’s extraordinary body of work will take us on a journey into the worlds of science, technology, industry, art, culture, society and philosophy in a way, arguably, no other artist has done before or since. Beyond this, the talk will reflect on what the artist known as ‘Joseph Wright of Derby’ means to the city today and what part he can play as it defines itself for the 21st century.

Bob Moulder is an illustrator, writer and graphic novelist as well as a tutor of art history with the WEA. His latest book, Wojtek: The Bear Who Went to War, is a graphic novel based on the true story of bear adopted by Polish soldiers in WWII, who famously carried shells up to the guns at the Battle of Monte Casino.

Since moving to Derby over twenty years ago, Bob has always been fascinated by the artist whose name is invariably followed by ‘of Derby’. As a fulfilment of that fascination, his latest project is an illustrated children’s book about Joseph Wright and the painting of The Orrery.

This online talk will be run by the Arkwright Society.

ZOOM DETAILS: We Got Tickets will send you a zoom link to join the session prior to the event.

TECH REQUIREMENTS: You will need a laptop/desktop/tablet computer with video and audio. You will also require a reliable internet connection. Please make sure your set-up satisfies the technical requirements before joining – we cannot offer refunds if you discover your device or broadband connection is not suitable for the event.

VENUE: At home in front of your computer.

Door time: 6.45pm. Talk start time: 7pm.