Harvey Wilmot 1760

Joseph Wright of Derby painted this portrait of Harvey Wilmot with oils on canvas. The artist sets up a study in contrasts. A pale figure in a dark interior, illuminated from an unseen, but definite source. A sense of volume is created in the boy's face and clothing, which is set against a black background. The boy's gaze is direct and steady, and his pale skin contrasts with the dark fabric of the cap he is holding. The golden trim on the cap is echoed in the golden buttons of the boy's pale blue coat, creating a visual rhythm. Wright uses the composition to convey a sense of youthful innocence, while also hinting at the status and privilege of the boy's family. This is a visual study of light and shadow, of color and texture, that engages with contemporary ideas about childhood.