Wright, who is viewed as a painter who ushered in the industrial and scientific revolution in the 18th century, was one of the first people to portray industry through art work alongside traditional landscapes and portraits
The National Gallery said the exhibition will challenge the traditionally-held view the painter was solely a figurehead of the Enlightenment and “looks beyond his position as the painter of light”.
With more than 20 works, including other paintings, mezzotints, works on paper and objects, the exhibition explores both Wright’s “artistic practice and the historic context of scientific and artistic development in which they were made”.
Tony Butler, from Derby Museums Trust, has been working behind the scenes to help facilitate the move of 17 paintings that will head to London later this year.