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Two Boys Blowing a Bladder by Candle-light

Engraver Peter Perez Burdett 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

Object Information
  • 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

More Artwork
Virgil's Tomb by Moonlight, with Silius Italicus Declaiming, Joseph Wright (Wright of Derby) British, Oil on canvas
Virgil's Tomb by Moonlight, with Silius Italicus Declaiming
Joseph Wright (Wright of Derby)
1779
Division Viol, Richard Meares British, Spruce, ebony, maple, British
Division Viol
labeled Richard Meares
ca. 1680
Woman Bathing (La Toilette), Mary Cassatt American, Drypoint and aquatint, printed in color from three plates; fourth state of four (Mathews & Shapiro)
Woman Bathing (La Toilette)
Mary Cassatt
Printer Jointly printed by the artist and Monsieur LeRoy
1890–91
Smaller Italian sketchbook (containing 43 drawings on 44 leaves), Joseph Wright (Wright of Derby) British, Graphite, pen and ink, brush and gray and yellow wash or watercolor
Smaller Italian sketchbook (containing 43 drawings on 44 leaves)
Joseph Wright (Wright of Derby)
1774–75
Division Viol, Barak Norman British, Wood, British
Division Viol
Attributed to Barak Norman
1692

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