The portrait, which depicts Wright’s friend, the musician and composer Edward Miller, was discovered in 2024 by the Hall family while sorting through the belongings of a late relative at a home on the Scottish Borders – described by family members as a “treasure trove of antiques”.

Amongst over 20 family portraits, there were three whose identities were a mystery to the family. One bore a simple inscription on the reverse: ‘Wright’. A single clue to the mysterious identity of the artist.

Joy Hall, who first contacted Derby Museums about the discovery, told how the family had initially considered selling the Wright painting for the value of its frame, until the exceptional quality of one of the works caught her attention. Struck by the detail of the lacework and tassels, reminiscent of Wright’s early self-portrait in Van Dyck dress – also found at Derby Museum and Art Gallery – Hall began researching the artist, and it was here she stumbled upon Joseph Wright of Derby.