The most famous works of which 18th century English painter include 'An Experiment On A Bird' and 'The Orrery'?
A Philosopher Lecturing on the Orrery A Philosopher Lecturing on the Orrery A Philosopher Lecturing on the Orrery, or the full title, A Philosopher giving a Lecture on the Orrery in which a lamp is put in place of the Sun, is a painting by Joseph Wright of Derby depicting a lecturer giving a demonstration of an orrery to a small audience. The painting preceded his similar "An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump" (National Gallery, London). The first of Wright's candlelit masterpieces, "Three Persons Viewing the Gladiator by Candlelight", was painted in 1765, and showed three men studying a small copy of the
An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump Earl auctioned it off, and it is now held by Derby Museum and Art Gallery. "An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump" followed in 1768, the emotionally charged experiment contrasting with the orderly scene from "The Orrery". The painting, which measures 72 by 94½ inches (183 by 244 cm), shows a grey cockatiel fluttering in panic as the air is slowly withdrawn from the vessel by the pump. The witnesses display various emotions: one of the girls worriedly watches the fate of the bird, while the other is too upset to observe and is comforted by her father;