Currently not on view
Miravan Breaking Open the Tomb of His Ancestors,
1772
Valentine Green, 1739–1813; born Salford, England; died London, England
after Joseph Wright of Derby, 1734–1797; born and died Derby, United Kingdom
Published by John Boydell, British, 1719–1804
after Joseph Wright of Derby, 1734–1797; born and died Derby, United Kingdom
Published by John Boydell, British, 1719–1804
2004-115
Known for his masterful depictions of natural and artificial light, the painter Joseph Wright of Derby promoted his work aggressively through reproductive images by professional printmakers such as Valentine Green. One of Wright’s rare literary subjects, this dramatic scene was inspired by John Gilbert Cooper’s moralizing tale of the treasureseeking Persian nobleman Miravan, who was cursed for desecrating the family tomb. Such was the popularity of Wright’s nocturnal paintings that Green’s mezzotint—which perfectly captures the moonlit sky and flickering oil lamp—was published immediately after Miravan (now in the Derby Museum and Art Gallery) was first exhibited in London.
Information
Title
Miravan Breaking Open the Tomb of His Ancestors
Dates
1772
Maker
Medium
Mezzotint
Dimensions
plate: 51.9 x 35.4 cm. (20 7/16 x 13 15/16 in.)
sheet: 52 x 36.8 cm. (20 1/2 x 14 1/2 in.)
frame: 79.1 × 63.9 × 2.5 cm (31 1/8 × 25 3/16 × 1 in.)
Credit Line
Museum purchase, Surdna Fund
Object Number
2004-115
Place Made
Europe, England, London
Inscription
Printed below plate, lower left to right: Jos. Wright pinxit. / Publish’d Decem.r 18th 1772, / by J. Boydell, Cheapside. / V. Green fait
Reference Numbers
Chaloner Smith 162
Type
Techniques
Subject
- John Chaloner Smith, British mezzotinto portraits; being a descriptive catalogue of these engravings from the introduction of the art to the early part of the present century (London: H. Sotheran & Co., 1883)., no. 13, p. 520
- "Acquisitions of the Princeton University Art Museum 2004," Record of the Princeton University Art Museum 64 (2005): p. 91-135., p. 128
