A portrait of Fleetwood Hesketh by Joseph Wright, the subject is shown in a relaxed pose, seated on a rock with a cloudy sky behind him. He is dressed in a red coat, black waistcoat, and breeches, with a large black tricorn hat.

This portrait by Joseph Wright of Derby depicts Fleetwood Hesketh, a member of a prominent Lancashire family. Wright, known for his innovative use of light and shadow, captures Hesketh in a relaxed, informal pose, seated on a rocky outcrop with a somewhat wild background. He is dressed in a red coat, black waistcoat, and breeches, with a large black tricorn hat adding to the stylish attire of the period. His white stockings and black shoes complete the ensemble. He holds a white cloth in his right hand. A flask hangs from his side. The background features a cloudy sky and a suggestion of a distant body of water, possibly a lake or the sea. The overall composition suggests a man of leisure enjoying the outdoors. Wright's attention to detail in the clothing and the natural setting demonstrates his skill as a portraitist and his ability to capture the character of his sitter.