Lot 43: JOSEPH WRIGHT OF DERBY, A.R.A. | A grotto in the Gulf of Salerno, with the figure of Julia, banished from Rome

oil on canvas, held in its original Wright of Derby Neo-Classical frame

124 by 172 cm.; 48 3/4  by 67 3/4  in.

oil on canvas, held in its original Wright of Derby Neo-Classical frame

The following condition report is provided by Hamish Dewar who is an external specialist and not an employee of Sotheby's: Structural Condition The canvas appears unlined but has a synthetic loose lining which is adhered to the original canvas in several areas. These adhered areas are clearly visible on the reverse of the canvas. The synthetic loose lining is also adhered to the tacking and turnover edges of the original canvas to provide additional support. The painting is securely attached to a relatively new, keyed wooden stretcher. Paint surface The paint surface has an even but discoloured varnish layer and would respond well to cleaning. The paint surface has an overall pattern of slightly raised craquelure. This appears stable. Inspection under ultra-violet light confirms the heavily discoloured and opaque varnish layer and also shows scattered retouchings, the most significant of which are : 1) scattered retouchings throughout the dark pigments of the cave in the upper left and right quadrants of the composition, 2) an area of retouching within the dark pigments in the lower right corner of the composition, and 3) very small intermittent retouchings running along the upper and lower horizontal framing edges which appear to have been applied at a later date. Other scattered retouchings are also visible. Summary The painting would therefore appear to be in good and stable condition and would benefit from cleaning, restoration and revarnishing
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

London, Royal Academy, 1780, no. 203 (as 'A cavern with the figure of Julia banished thither by her grandfather Augustus');

London, Tate Gallery, Wright of Derby, 7 February – 22 April 1990, no. 100;

Paris, Grand Palais, Wright of Derby, 17 May – 23 July 1990, no. 100;

New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Wright of Derby, 6 September – 2 December 1990, no. 100.

W. Bemrose, The Life and Works of Joseph Wright, A.R.A., commonly called 'Wright of Derby', London and Derby 1885, p. 121;

B. Nicholson, Joseph Wright of Derby. Painter of Light, 2 vols., London and New York 1968, vol. I, pp. 83, 158 and 256, no. 278, vol. II, p. 134, reproduced plate 215;

J. Egerton, Wright of Derby, exhibition catalogue, London, Tate Britain, 1990, pp. 164–65 and 285–86, cat no. 100, reproduced in colour.

Purchased from the artist by Joshua Cockshutt Esq., of Chaddesden, Derbyshire, for £105;

By descent to Captain Cockshutt Twiselton Heathcote (1793–1885), until 1840, when the picture was given in lieu of payment for a debt;

Private collection, Derbyshire, 1840 to 2015;

From which donated to The United Society (Us), in order to raise funds for the relief of the Syrian refugee crisis in Europe.