Wright of Derby: From the Shadows at the National Gallery London
What is the Wright of Derby: From the Shadows exhibition?
Wright of Derby: From the Shadows is a major exhibition at the National Gallery, London, dedicated to Joseph Wright of Derby’s dramatic candlelit paintings and related works. Bringing together more than thirty pieces, it explores how Wright uses light, shadow and night-time settings to reflect on science, emotion, morality and the Enlightenment.
Exhibition at a Glance
- What: Wright of Derby: From the Shadows
- Where: The National Gallery, London
- When: 7 November 2025 – 10 May 2026
- Why Go: Enlightenment in candlelight
- Tickets: From £12. Book online in advance.
About the Exhibition: Wright of Derby: From the Shadows
Wright of Derby: From the Shadows is the first exhibition in the United Kingdom devoted entirely to Joseph Wright of Derby and, in particular, to his extraordinary “candlelight” paintings. Hosted in the Sunley Room of the National Gallery, London, the show places the artist’s glowing scenes of science, spectacle and everyday life in the wider context of the Enlightenment and early Industrial Revolution.
Wright (1734–1797) is often described as the first professional painter to capture the spirit of the Industrial Revolution. The exhibition shows that he does far more than celebrate scientific progress. Through intense contrasts of light and shadow, he turns night-time interiors into theatres of emotion and doubt, where discovery, fear, curiosity and wonder sit side by side.
The galleries focus on Wright’s work between the mid-1760s and early 1770s, the years in which he produces his most famous candlelit scenes. Visitors encounter groups of figures gathered around an experiment, an astronomical model or a forge, their faces illuminated by flickering lamps or glowing fire. The exhibition also broadens the story with prints, drawings and scientific instruments that reveal the world of ideas behind the paintings.
Rather than presenting Wright only as a rational painter of light and reason, the exhibition emphasises his fascination with darkness, mystery and the sublime. Death, melancholy, scepticism and moral ambiguity emerge as recurrent themes. In doing so, the show positions Wright as a bridge between the Enlightenment and Romanticism, an artist who explores both the power and the limits of human knowledge.
Organised in partnership with Derby Museums, which holds the world’s largest collection of Wright’s works, the exhibition brings several key loans to London, including pieces that have not been seen in the UK for decades. Full details, including latest ticketing information, are available on the official National Gallery exhibition page.
Artists and Must-See Works
The exhibition centres on a single artist, Joseph Wright of Derby, but his range is striking. From scientific demonstrations to blacksmiths at work and alchemists in search of elusive knowledge, his subjects reveal the many faces of eighteenth-century curiosity. Several masterpieces stand out as absolute must-see works during your visit.
An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump (1768)
Often considered Wright’s greatest painting and one of the icons of the Enlightenment, An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump shows a travelling lecturer demonstrating the effects of air pressure on a white cockatoo. A single, powerful light source carves figures and objects out of darkness: worried children, fascinated adults, a distracted young couple. The drama of the scientific experiment becomes a moral drama about empathy, spectacle and the cost of knowledge.
A Philosopher Giving That Lecture on the Orrery (1764–1766)
In A Philosopher Giving That Lecture on the Orrery in Which a Lamp is Put in Place of the Sun, Wright replaces candlelight with the miniature “sun” at the centre of a mechanical model of the solar system. Faces emerge from the gloom as the lamp casts circular bands of light around the orrery. The painting captures the excitement of new astronomical theories and shows science as a communal experience, shared by people of different ages and backgrounds.
The Blacksmith’s Shop (1771)
The Blacksmith’s Shop shifts the focus from science to skilled manual labour. Here the light comes from the red-hot metal on the anvil, illuminating the workers and their tools. The painting celebrates the dignity of everyday work while maintaining Wright’s characteristic sense of drama. It also underlines his reputation as a key visual interpreter of Britain’s transition towards an industrial society.
The Alchymist, in Search of the Philosopher’s Stone (1795)
In The Alchymist, in Search of the Philosopher’s Stone, Wright blends science, legend and spirituality. A beam of light breaks into a shadowy laboratory as the alchemist witnesses a startling reaction in his crucible. The scene is theatrical and almost supernatural, hinting at the thin line between rational experimentation and mystical aspiration. The painting offers a fascinating counterpart to the more strictly “scientific” subjects elsewhere in the show.
Together, these works invite visitors to think about how people observe, learn and believe. Wright’s carefully staged compositions encourage us to question what we see and how we look—whether at a scientific demonstration, a work of art or the world around us.
Planning Your Visit: Dates, Tickets & Tips
Wright of Derby: From the Shadows takes place in the Sunley Room at the National Gallery, directly on Trafalgar Square. The exhibition runs from 7 November 2025 to 10 May 2026, giving visitors several months to experience this immersive journey into candlelit art.
Standard adult tickets for the exhibition start from £12. Concessions and member options may apply, so it is advisable to check prices and availability in advance. As this is a high-profile temporary exhibition, advance online booking helps you secure your preferred date and time, especially at weekends and during school holidays.
The National Gallery is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00, with extended opening until 21:00 on Fridays. To make the most of your time, consider visiting the exhibition first and then exploring the permanent collection, where other eighteenth-century masterpieces provide a broader context for Wright’s work.
If you enjoy following the latest shows across London’s museums, you can also browse our curated selection of current and upcoming shows on our Temporary Exhibitions page, designed to help you plan culture-packed days in the city.
Why Visit Wright of Derby: From the Shadows?
There are many reasons to add this exhibition to your London itinerary. First, it offers a rare chance to see so many of Wright’s candlelit paintings together, allowing you to trace his development from early scientific scenes to later, more introspective works. Works normally held in different collections, including Derby, Cambridge and the United States, come together in one place.
Second, the exhibition speaks directly to modern visitors. In a world lit by screens, Wright’s masterful handling of flame, lamplight and darkness feels surprisingly contemporary. His scenes show families debating, children reacting with horror or curiosity, and individuals lost in thought as they confront new ideas. These human reactions remain instantly recognisable today.
Finally, the exhibition deepens your understanding of the Enlightenment. Rather than presenting it as a purely rational age, Wright of Derby: From the Shadows reveals its tensions and fears: the ethical questions raised by experiments on living creatures, the fascination with the unknown and the desire to find meaning in a rapidly changing world. It is an ideal choice for visitors interested in both art and history.
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Discover our private museum toursPractical Information (Checklist)
- Dates: 7 November 2025 – 10 May 2026
- Opening Hours: Daily 10:00–18:00; Fridays until 21:00
- Location: Sunley Room, The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN
- Tickets: From £12 for adults; concessions and membership options available
- How to Get There: Short walk from Charing Cross (National Rail and Underground), Leicester Square and Embankment Underground stations; multiple bus routes stop at Trafalgar Square.
Conclusion
Wright of Derby: From the Shadows is a powerful, atmospheric exhibition that brings together science, art and emotion in a series of unforgettable candlelit scenes. Whether you are an art lover, a history enthusiast or simply curious about London’s cultural life, this show offers a vivid insight into the hopes and anxieties of the eighteenth century—and into the timeless drama of light and darkness.
Include the exhibition in your London plans and, if you would like expert guidance through the city’s museums and galleries, explore the bespoke experiences offered by the London Museum Tours team.
This article was curated by the London Museum Tours team. With years of experience guiding visitors through London's permanent collections and temporary exhibitions, our goal is to help you plan the perfect visit.
