Thomas and Joseph Pickford as Children 1779

Joseph Wright of Derby painted Thomas and Joseph Pickford as children in an unknown year with oil on canvas. Derby was a hub of intellectual life during the Enlightenment, and Wright found himself at the heart of it. Here, the sons of a wealthy businessman are depicted in finery with their dog, posed in front of a classical landscape. Wright has captured an intimate moment between brothers, inviting us to consider the relationships between family, wealth, and status in 18th-century England. The softness with which Wright renders their features evokes a sense of innocence, but also reflects a particular social class. Their clothes denote affluence, and their gentle engagement with the dog suggests a life free from hardship. Wright uses light and shadow to create a dramatic scene, drawing our eyes to the faces of the boys and the dog, but also reminding us of the shadow cast by the family’s privilege. This painting reflects a desire to capture not just likeness, but also the complex interplay between identity, status, and affection.