Mezzotint engraving after Joseph Wright (1734-1797), A Philosopher Shewing an Experiment on the Air Pump, An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump,1769. An interior scene with a natural philosopher (scientist), centre facing the viewer, is conducting an experiment with a bird to show the effects when air is pumped out or into the glass reciever. Circled around the table are eight people including two children who can't bare to watch, two lovers distracted by each other and there is a ninth young man holding the birdcage. There are other scientific apparatus on the table. Inscription: bottom left 'Jos. Wright Pinxit 1768 middle centre 'J. Boydell Exc' bottom right 'Val. Green Fecit.et'. Made by Valentine Green (1739-1813). Mezzotint-engraving and etching.Cropped. Paper.

Exhibitions:

Title: Wright of Derby: From the Shadows
Venue: National Gallery
Dates: from 07/11/2025 to 01/11/2026

Publications

Title: Wright of Derby
Published Place: London
Copyright: The Tate Gallery
Published Year: 1990
Title: Catalogue of the Engraved Works of Joseph Wright, A.R.A., "Wright of Derby"

Related People

Joseph Wright of Derby (Artist)
Display Date: British, 1734 - 1797
Nationality: British
Biography: Artist.
Valentine Green (engraver)
Display Date: British, 1739 - 1813
Nationality: British

A Philosopher Shewing an Experiment on the Air Pump

Date: 1769

Medium: Mezzotint-engraving and etching.

Object Type:	Print
Dimensions:	Support: 461 × 583 mm (18 1/8 × 22 15/16 in.)
Description:	According to Williamson's catalogue, this is a Second State impression. Clayton's catalogue lists it as a First State impression.
Inscriptions:	Recto, below image, from left to right: 'Jos. Wright Pinxit 1768 / J. Boydell Exc / Val. Green Fecit.et'.
Provenance:	...; collection of William Bemrose; by descent to his son, the Hon. Brigadier General William Wright Bemrose; by whom donated to Derby Museums in 1912.
Viewing Status:	Contact Us
Item Ref:	1912-475/2