A Philosopher Shewing an Experiment on the Air Pump

Made:
1769 in London
printer:
Valentine Green
artist:
Joseph Wright of
publisher:
Josiah Boydell
[A Philosopher Shewing an Experiment on the Air Pump] / Jos

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[A Philosopher Shewing an Experiment on the Air Pump] / Jos
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

[A Philosopher Shewing an Experiment on the Air Pump] / Jos. Wright Pinxit. 1768; J. Boydell, excudit ; Val. Green fecit, Londini 1769. - [2nd state]. - 1print: mezzotint [cut to] platemark 48.7x59.2cm, image 45.2x59.2cm. in wood veneer and gilt frame, 76x85.5x4cm. - After the oil painting by Joseph Wright of Derby, 1768. - Subject: A dramatic moment in a night scientific lecture on pneumatics; the inevitability of laws of nature, and assorted human responses, reflected by light source of candle behind glass jar with skull, traditional symbols of mortality; on table, a pair of Magdeburg hemispheres, etc; dominated by air pump apparatus with white cockatoo almost lifeless at base of glass receiver, from which air pumped out; lecturer's l.hand poised on stopcock, r.hand gesturing to skull, looks direct to viewer; moment of choice and uncertain (divine) outcome

Details

Category:
Art
Object Number:
1982-808
Measurements:
overall: 760 mm x 870 mm x 50 mm,
image: 452 x 592 mm
type:
print
credit:
Edmunds, A.