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Richard Arkwright (1732–1792)

Image credit: Harris Museum, Art Gallery & Library

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Preston-born Arkwright invented a cotton spinning machine with clockmaker John Kay. It was known as the water-frame because of the way it was powered. His machine transformed the cotton textile industry and Arkwright was knighted in 1787. The artist, Joseph Wright of Derby, took a keen interest in industrial and scientific developments. His most famous paintings depict experiments, inventions or the men behind them. Wright and Arkwright were good friends.

Harris Museum & Art Gallery

Preston

Title

Richard Arkwright (1732–1792)

Date

1783–1785

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 126 x W 102 cm

Accession number

PRSMG : 2009.2

Acquisition method

purchased jointly by the Harris Museum & Art Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery, London with the assistance of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, the Art Fund, The Trustees of the Harris Free Library, Museum and Art Gallery Trust, the Friends of the Harris Museum amd Art Gallery, the Portrait Fund, PRISM, the Headley Trust, the Bowland Charitable Trust, the Halecat charitable Trust, Nicholas & Judith Godison through the Art Fund, Hutton Historical Society, Soroptimist International of Preston, pupils of Fulwood High School and over 130 individual donations, 2008

Work type

Painting

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Harris Museum & Art Gallery

Market Square, Preston, Lancashire PR1 2PP England

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