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This is a painting of a group of individuals gathered around a table with a scientific instrument. The scene is dramatically lit by a single light source, emphasizing the expressions and features of the subjects as they focus intently on an experiment involving a bird in an air pump. The room is filled with a sense of wonder and curiosity, with various characters displaying different reactions to the demonstration. The background includes a large birdcage and a window, suggesting this event takes place in a domestic setting.
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This is a painting of a group of individuals gathered around a table with a scientific instrument. The scene is dramatically lit by a single light source, emphasizing the expressions and features of the subjects as they focus intently on an experiment involving a bird in an air pump. The room is filled with a sense of wonder and curiosity, with various characters displaying different reactions to the demonstration. The background includes a large birdcage and a window, suggesting this event takes place in a domestic setting.

National Gallery of Art · Print

A Philosopher Shewing an Experiment on the Air Pump

Valentine Green after Joseph Wright

Date
1769
Medium
mezzotint on laid paper
Dimensions
plate: 47.6 x 58.5 cm (18 3/4 x 23 1/16 in.) sheet: 51.3 x 63.8 cm (20 3/16 x 25 1/8 in.)
Classification
Print
Accession number
2003.76.1
Credit line
New Century Fund
Time span
1751 to 1775
Department
CG-E
Original NGA record

Subjects and terms

  • architecture
  • British
  • bird
  • animal
  • child
  • portrait
  • mezzotint
  • Moon
  • Jar
  • Figures
  • Machine
Provenance

(Hill-Stone Inc., New York); purchased 2003 by NGA.

Inscription

lower left in plate: Jos. Wright Pinxit 1768.; lower center in plate: J. Boydell, excudit.; lower right in plate: Val. Green fecit, Londini, 1769

NGA object ID 127253. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.