Lake Nemi 

Joseph Wright of Derby made this painting of Lake Nemi using oil on canvas. The work’s atmosphere derives in no small part from this material, which allows for subtle gradations of color and tone. The oil paint creates a rich surface that is very smooth, with an almost enamel-like quality. He mixed his colors with great attention to tonal variation, capturing the rosy light of dusk and the gentle recession of space. Consider the craft involved: the grinding of pigments, the careful layering of paint, and the skilled manipulation of brushes to create detail. All of this would have demanded significant time, labor, and a high level of technical expertise. Wright was not just a painter, but also an interpreter of the natural world. He brought scientific curiosity, combined with artistic skill. And in doing so, he reminds us that there need not be a division between art and craft. Both can offer profound insights into our world.