Landscape with Figures and a Tilted Cart, Matlock Hogh Tor in the Distance 1790

Joseph Wright of Derby created this oil on canvas painting, titled "Landscape with Figures and a Tilted Cart, Matlock High Tor in the Distance," during the late 18th century. Wright was known for his innovative use of light and shadow, and his paintings often reflected the social and industrial changes happening in England at the time. Here, the sublime landscape acts as a backdrop to the everyday lives of working people. By situating the figures with their tilted cart, and the village of Matlock, Wright comments on the social structures of his time. The High Tor was a popular tourist destination, its imposing rock formations a source of awe and inspiration. But we might also ask, whose landscape is this? Who gets to travel and enjoy the view? And who is burdened with hard labor? Art historians consult a wide variety of sources such as letters, diaries, and financial records, to more fully understand the meaning and context of artworks.