Joseph Wright of Derby: Images of Science

Synopsis: Looks in detail at two paintings by Joseph Wright of Derby: ‘A Lecture on the Orrery’ and ‘The Alchemist’. By an analysis of the content of these works, amd a summary of the art-historical traditions they derive from, Wright is firmly located within the Enlightenment, as an artist interested in the scientific and philosophical issues of the day, aware of the precedents for his work, but with a need to sell his paintings in the market place. Includes a demonstration of an orrery, and shows other pictures by Wright that hang in the Derby Art Gallery. Also discusses three other Wright paintings: ‘An Experiment on the Bird in the Airpump’, ‘The Blacksmith’s Shop’ and ‘A Hermit Studying Anatomy’.
Language: English
Country: Great Britain
Medium: Video; Videocassette. Standard formats. col. 25 min.
Year of production: 1987
Availability: OUT OF DISTRIBUTION
Keywords: Enlightenment; history of science; history of technology; painters; paintings - British; Wright, Joseph

Producer

Peter Walton

Cast

Gerard Benson

Name: Open University Worldwide
Web: http://www.ouw.co.uk External site opens in new window
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Address: Walton Hall
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MK7 6AA
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