Two Boys Blowing a Bladder by Candle-light 1773

Peter Perez Burdett created this mezzotint print, "Two Boys Blowing a Bladder by Candle-light," around 1773, after a painting by Joseph Wright of Derby. Burdett, like Wright, was part of the Lunar Society, a group of scientists and industrialists. The scene depicts two boys engrossed in a seemingly simple experiment, inflating an animal bladder, a common children’s toy at the time. The candle illuminates their faces, casting dramatic shadows that heighten the emotional tension and quiet intensity of the moment. It captures the spirit of scientific inquiry, with its emphasis on observation and experimentation. Notably, images of childhood innocence often masked underlying social issues, and children of the working classes often found themselves in exploitative labor situations. Through the intimate portrayal of this everyday scene, Burdett prompts us to consider the varied experiences of youth in the 18th century. The single candle flame evokes both the wonder of scientific discovery, and the vulnerability of youth.