Joseph Wright of Derby's 'An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump' Explored in Depth

Joseph Wright of Derby's painting 'An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump' (ca. 1768) is the focus of an in-depth analysis. The work, held at the National Gallery in London, depicts a dramatic scientific demonstration. Wright, an English painter known for landscapes and portraits, was associated with the Lunar Society of Birmingham and often incorporated scientific themes into his art. The painting shows ten figures gathered around a table with an air pump, reacting with a range of emotions from fascination to distress. A central lecturer engages the viewer, while two young girls are visibly upset by the experiment on a grey cockatiel. The scene is illuminated by a hidden light source behind a glass goblet and a full moon, referencing the Lunar Society. The painting was revered in the 18th century as a celebration of enlightenment and scientific progress, though its style was not widely imitated. In 2022, it was part of the 'Science and the Sublime' exhibition at The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles, a reciprocal exchange with the National Gallery.