An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump
Joseph Wright of Derby · 1768
Why it's great
A scientist pumps the air out of a glass jar holding a white cockatoo as the family watches, some fascinated and some upset. Wright painted it by candlelight to build suspense, asking whether science is always right. It's a rare painting that makes a science experiment feel like a thrilling drama. It sits among the most famous works of the Enlightenment.
🏛️ Part of history
The Scientific Revolution & Enlightenment (1600–1789) — Wright lights a science experiment like a holy scene: a bird gasps in the glass while a family decides whether to save it.
Where to see it
📍 National GalleryLondon, United Kingdom
Open in Maps ↗ About this museum →Hang it on your wall
Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
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Joseph Wright of Derby was born in Derby, England, and spent nearly his whole life there. He was famous for painting scenes lit by a single candle or lamp, often showing scientific experiments. His friends included inventors and scientists of the Industrial Revolution. He's often called the first painter to capture the spirit of the Age of Science.
