An enlightened experiment | Joseph Wright 'of Derby'

An enlightened experiment | Joseph Wright 'of Derby' | National Gallery

Рет қаралды 75,792

Күн бұрын

Joseph Wright hailed from Derby, a city at the centre of the Industrial Revolution. What can we learn from 'An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump' about this advancing time and how does this painting represent the Enlightenment that was taking place around him? Unpick and explore the references scattered throughout this masterpiece with Adult Learning Programmer Matthew Morgan.
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Пікірлер: 73

@rg31404 6 жыл бұрын

The reflections on the table are breathtaking.

@michaelbaenen2388 4 жыл бұрын

I'm always impressed by the quality of the National Gallery's lecturers. Another outstanding excursion into a great work of art.

@dmmw125 4 жыл бұрын

It's a fictional bird from two hundred years ago but somehow I want it to escape.

@ssagnikdeyy8617 2 жыл бұрын

I love this endeavour by the national gallery explaining this each painting for half and hour .

@ThankYou-bn6bp 2 жыл бұрын

This is literally one of best videos by the National Gallery. I was frowning, laughing, thinking, and walking through history while this gentleman walked us through the painting. Thank you sir!

@LCDigital92 3 жыл бұрын

My all-time favorite painting.

@cindy8994 4 жыл бұрын

I suggest the object in the glass at front are lungs from a lamb or something similar. They are immersed in liquid to apply external pressure. Blowing down the straw would inflate them and then the pressure would deflate them. It is the juxtaposition to the experiment in the vacuum chamber.

@shaunrish9516 2 жыл бұрын

I dont think it is possible to paint better than this,,, an outstanding painting

@Eudaimonia88 Жыл бұрын

The lecturer, Matthew Morgan, is much like the philosopher with the long grey hair: he has the air of a magician (pun intended!), he is pivotal to the scene, and he is in control of the narrative and thus of its outcome. Amazing! Thank you.

@dianacrainiciuc8440 5 ай бұрын

I visited The National Gallery yesterday and spotted this painting. I was mesmerised by the narrative. I kept looking at it for a good ten minutes. It is very captivating.

@nationalgallery 5 ай бұрын

Thank you for visiting us, Diana!

@dianacrainiciuc8440 5 ай бұрын

@@nationalgallery Thank you for a great experience!

@Socratica 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing this analysis of one of our favourite paintings! As scientists, it's fascinating to see this period of early discovery captured in this way.

@leightonpaxton6504 2 жыл бұрын

I know Im randomly asking but does anyone know a tool to log back into an instagram account?? I was dumb lost the account password. I love any tips you can give me

@walterandy7050 2 жыл бұрын

@Leighton Paxton Instablaster :)

@kevinbaird7277 4 жыл бұрын

This picture is stunning, very Caravaggio in style with its use of light to keep the viewer hooked on the narrative, i have loved Caravaggio's work for many years, his approach to storytelling from the 16th and 17th century has been used by many artists to tighten the subjects and more easily tell story, also this technique can be used to hide some of the artists work to confuse the viewer and make us think about other aspects of the narrative to complete the pictures story.

@vandanamisra5826 2 жыл бұрын

When first time I saw this even I thought it to be Caravaggio's work.

@RubenGoMoRadioboyPlus Жыл бұрын

This painting is one of the biggest references for the works that I have created in my legend "Flosanthomo". Thank you 😍.

@robkunkel8833 2 жыл бұрын

National Gallery has quirky interesting exhibits. Truly a repository of treasured art et al … 🌴💪🏽Bravo

@DevilishScience 4 жыл бұрын

Very interesting. Joseph Wright's painting of the Alchemist is about the discovery of Phosphorous not magnesium which wasn't known in Wright's day.

@migfed 6 жыл бұрын

One recommendation: the camera should let us contemplate the painting most of the time, 95% would be just fine. Watching the lecturer should be just at the initial moment, for introductory purposes and at the end, when some overall comments would be said. The rest of the lecture the camera should let us dive deep in the painting, exploring all of its details. Thanks for your attention. Congratulations to the National Gallery for letting us to comprehend a bit about art history and it's masterpieces.

@MariaEduarda003 6 жыл бұрын

migfed hey! I respecfully disagree. I much rather see whos talking to me, his expressions are part of the narrative. I can see the painting whenever I want.

@vegasrocker58 4 жыл бұрын

I so agree.. Its almost so frustrating that I don't want to watch this. Let us look at the painting in detail while you talk

@andrewmogg591 5 жыл бұрын

My favourite painting in the wonderful National Gallery. But I'm from Derby and possibly a tad bias.

@johnp515 5 жыл бұрын

I'm from London, now live in Tokyo and it's my favourite too. I always seek it out when I go back to the National Gallery.

@jasona716 2 жыл бұрын

I'm from the North East, and it's my favourite painting too - a trip to London is not complete without going to see it.

@christtysilva5932 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much for these videos, and support art and culture, greetings from Perú.

@gabriellarrotta8636 3 жыл бұрын

Brilliant! Mr. Curator that was a very clear and engaging lecture. Thanks.

@OctavianRepedeFilms 4 жыл бұрын

Brilliant painting and comentary!

@moisescervantes3801 6 жыл бұрын

Beautiful! 👏🏼

@vandanamisra5826 2 жыл бұрын

This was a beautiful lecture with real good research done on painting. Very impressive analysis.

@keybawd4023 3 жыл бұрын

Absolutely fascinating and informative talk. I have long known of the Luna Society, so at the first reference to the full moon, I knew we were on an interesting path.

@jacektoporowski7755 Жыл бұрын

I think that the couple on the left are not looking at each other. And it is not the symbol of love. She is clearly upset after she saw what is happening with the bird and she's looking away, staring somewhere far away, thinking about this horrible event. And he is looking at her, troubled, that she is sad and in pain. Am I wrong? :-)

@glennpotter6544 2 жыл бұрын

Wonderful commentary and very informative - thank-you!

@ivansno.1garage909 Жыл бұрын

Wow! This is an amazing talk about such a wonderful painting. I was so engrossed in the discussion and then he threw the question to us in the dieing moments....bravo NG🤝👋.

@lilynaari 2 жыл бұрын

So interesting, what an amazing service to gift to the world

@leticiajardim1522 6 жыл бұрын

Very interesting!

@francislesouza 3 жыл бұрын

wonderful description of the nature of science.

@virginiepiga4048 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this wonderful analysis!

@charleswhitfield8915 Жыл бұрын

A superb lecture.

@jamesb2059 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent lecture!

@architectonic99 2 жыл бұрын

Amazing insights Thanks so much!

@fododude 5 жыл бұрын

The wide shot was evidently lit by a single candle.

@colinmannion3760 2 жыл бұрын

Very very informative. Thank you 🙂

@PCTamers 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you, illuminated (pun intended) one of my favourite paintings in the NG.

@xyzllii 5 жыл бұрын

Very interesting.

@mimi_pesss 4 жыл бұрын

great painting

@hnin.studio 2 жыл бұрын

i love this 💚

@stevechmilar1215 9 ай бұрын

Excellent presentation. Joseph Wright of Derby is one of my biggest influences. I must add, that I hope many of the patrons who would attend a lecture such as this, are aware that there are some contemporary painters working in a somewhat similar style. Please observe my work and let me know if you got there via this comment. Three Cheers!

@luisortizgervasi3820 2 жыл бұрын

In the painting, there may not be just a representation of science and the different attitudes towards science and knowledge, but also a reflection about life and death. Hence the philosophical attitude of the relatively old man in the right-hand side of the painting.

@21sungalute.42 2 жыл бұрын

I’ve seen this work close up and it really is something akin to an 18th Century jpeg image!

@gabriellefagan1014 3 жыл бұрын

There are 3 J.W.of.D paintings @ the N.G.V. One self portrait, one painting of his daughter and a landscape.

@Stoic-Col 2 жыл бұрын

Maybe it's just me but looking at this painting makes me think of it as a seventeenth century take on the "Dead Parrot Sketch". John Cleese's character has just taken the Norwegian Blue home and his family break the bad news to him.

@sphinxtheeminx 3 жыл бұрын

I think the father is explaining that the bird is OK and about to be brought back - it's a magic trick to the children, not a science experiment.

@gfrtube8547 6 жыл бұрын

Do Andrea Previtali

@sintes88 6 жыл бұрын

Why is the video footage so dark?

@TarunoNafs 4 жыл бұрын

Because it is an art museum... They show precious artworks that have to avoid bright light.

@joeybarlow6753 4 жыл бұрын

Chiaroscuro, innit

@trueamnisias 4 жыл бұрын

Half an hour well spend. I hope the NG reopens soon and the lunch talks start again.

@AlnicaDark 3 жыл бұрын

Vem mer e här pga "Bild"

@ilksenteksoy4008 2 жыл бұрын

🇹🇷😍🤗

@vojtasjedyny 3 жыл бұрын

I like to think there's a puppy's head in the jar on the table.

@KenDelloSandro7565 4 жыл бұрын

Limey buggers

@caramelshark 3 жыл бұрын

I enjoy watching those beautiful historical analysis videos, but I honestly care more about it’s history than the narrator’s opinion. I’d prefer it if he’d give the viewer the freedom of making up their own scenarios in their minds on how’d they’d depict a painting like this… No hate at all. I’m all for hearing other people’s opinions, only when I’m given the freedom of making up my own personal one and when the point of view I’m hearing is not in a way… “forced” on me, as a spectator and listener, as if it were a part of the painting’s history.

@CanadianMang 5 жыл бұрын

Is that a normal English accent or does he try to sound like that?

@farismag 5 жыл бұрын

There isn't normal English accent. There are variety of it which some used more than others. However, his accent could be from a town he is living in.

@AntPDC 5 жыл бұрын

@@farismag This is an entirely normal English accent.

@AntPDC 5 жыл бұрын

@Tweaky Robin It's all subjective. Sounds perfectly pleasant to the ear to me.

@robbied2113 4 жыл бұрын

Everyone in England talks like him

@hemeljohn1 2 жыл бұрын

@@robbied2113 If you ever travel around England, you would see that not everyone speaks like him at all. There are hundreds of different accents, according to the town or county you live in. His is just one of many accents.