Two Boys Blowing a Bladder by Candle-light

After Joseph Wright (Wright of Derby) British

1773

Not on view

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

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