Francis Burdett 

Joseph Wright of Derby painted this portrait of Francis Burdett sometime in the late 18th century. Derby was at the heart of the English Enlightenment, a period when artists and scientists investigated the world with new intensity. Wright became known for depicting the drama of scientific experiments, but he also painted portraits that reflected the values of his time and place. Here, Burdett, a wealthy landowner, is shown in a relaxed pose in front of his estate, reflecting the importance of land ownership in British society. The painting is more than a simple record. Wright positions Burdett in front of stormy skies, a symbol of the political storms brewing in England and France. Burdett's later championing of parliamentary reform suggests the artist was perceptive about his sitter's politics. To understand this painting, we must consider the social and political context in which it was made. Art historians use estate records and political pamphlets to better understand the symbolism. In doing so we reveal the complex relationship between art, politics, and society in late 18th-century Britain.