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A print portrays a several figures in a dark room standing around a contraption with a light source inside.

A print portrays several figures standing around a contraption. They are in a dark room, with a light from the center of the contraption being the only light source illuminating the figures. An older man stands at the center of the scene, pointing to the contraption below. To the left, another man writes notes in a book. Below them, two children look inside the contraption, their faces illuminated. In the forground, four other figures sit around the contraption, one looking up at the older man in the center.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
TL42416.1
People
William Pether, British (1731 - c. 1795)
After Joseph Wright of Derby, British (Derby, England 1734 - 1797 Derby, England)
Title
A Philosopher Giving a Lecture on the Orrery
Classification
Prints
Work Type
print
Date
1768
Culture
British
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/371408

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Mezzotint on laid paper
Technique
Mezzotint
Dimensions
plate: 44.6 × 58.1 cm (17 9/16 × 22 7/8 in.)
sheet: 49.1 × 59.4 cm (19 5/16 × 23 3/8 in.)
frame: 64.8 × 74.9 cm (25 1/2 × 29 1/2 in.)

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
National Gallery of Art, Washington, Paul Mellon Fund, 2001
Object Number
TL42416.1
Division
European and American Art
Contact
am_europeanamerican@harvard.edu
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Exhibition History

Verification Level

This record was created from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator; it may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of European and American Art at am_europeanamerican@harvard.edu