These three depict the ruined structure near Naples that was traditionally identified as the tomb of the Latin epic poet Virgil.

The earliest of the three, dated to 1779, includes the figure of Silius Italicus, a slightly later poet known to have been an admirer of Virgil.

[2] He sent one of the paintings to poet William Hayley who returned the favour by writing Ode to Mr Wright of Derby.

[3] Unlike Wright's paintings of candlelit scenes, the views of Virgil's tomb are "flooded with oppressive lunar light".

This painting was owned by the Barton Blount estates in 1968 and by 1981 it was sold by Miss Ward to Derby Museum and Art Gallery for £12,000.