Virgil's Tomb (1785). Wright, Joseph of Derby 1734-1797. Wright travelled in Italy from 1774-76 and produced many fine drawings of classical subjects and geological curiosities. On his return to England Wright used these drawings to produce a number of paintings of Italian subjects, many of which employ dramatic effects of light. Virgil's Tomb, near Naples, was much visited on the ?Grand Tour? due to its picturesque appearance and the great esteem in which the Roman poet Virgil was held in the eighteenth century.