The Earthstopper on the Banks of the Derwent 1773

Joseph Wright of Derby painted "The Earthstopper on the Banks of the Derwent" using oil on canvas. The application of oil paint is so heavy that it is possible to see the thick brushstrokes, particularly in areas of light, such as the moon and the figure's lantern. Wright was fascinated by the ways in which new technologies and modes of production changed society. He often painted industrial subjects. The material and the action in this painting depict the process by which the land was prepared for agriculture and how it transformed society. The figure is working late at night, and we can see the labor that it took to prepare the land for use. This reflects a wider social issue of labor, politics, and consumption. Wright was interested in the working class and often depicted them in his paintings, and we can see that in this artwork, the amount of work involved in the production process is highlighted. By considering the materials, making, and context of this artwork, we can understand its full meaning and challenge traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.