1767
oil
canvas
From the collection of J. Paul Getty Museum
Dominant colour
Two Boys with a Bladder is a 1767 oil by Joseph Wright of Derby, a Rococo painting work, held at J. Paul Getty Museum.
This painting shows two boys in the dark, lit by a single light source. The boy on the right holds a large, inflated bladder, which glows with a soft light. He is dressed in dark clothing and has a white ruffled collar. The boy on the left wears a pink jacket with gold trim and a white turban. He looks up at the bladder with curiosity. The light from the bladder casts a warm glow on the boys' faces, highlighting their features. The background is dark, with no other objects or details visible. The overall effect is one of quiet contemplation, as if the boys are lost in thought. If you're interested in learning more about the use of light and shadow in art, check out the technique of chiaroscuro.
Joseph Wright (3 September 1734 – 29 August 1797), styled Joseph Wright of Derby, was an English painter who specialised in portrait painting and landscape art.
See the richer artist page
