Two Boys Blowing a Bladder by Candle-light
This depiction of two boys testing the capacity of a bladder perfectly captures the scientific spirit of the Age of Enlightenment. Burdett's print is unique in that it bears no trace of etched outlines, and thus may be the first pure aquatint produced in England. The plate was inked and printed twice, first in red, then in brown, to reproduce the warm, rosy glow of Wright's candlelit painting.
Artwork Details
- Title: Two Boys Blowing a Bladder by Candle-light
- Engraver: Peter Perez Burdett (British, probably Eastwood, Essex 1734/35–1793 Karlsruhe)
- Artist: After Joseph Wright (Wright of Derby) (British, Derby 1734–1797 Derby)
- Date: 1773
- Medium: Aquatint printed in red and brown inks
- Dimensions: plate: 11 1/4 x 8 3/8 in. (28.6 x 21.3 cm)
sheet: 11 1/2 x 8 11/16 in. (29.2 x 22 cm) - Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1968
- Object Number: 68.589a
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
More Artwork
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.