Philosopher Giving A Lecture On The Orrery 

Joseph Wright of Derby created this painting, "Philosopher Giving A Lecture On the Orrery," using oil on canvas. Wright was known for his mastery of light, and here it emanates from the orrery, a mechanical model of the solar system. Consider how this object and image speak to expanding industrialization at the time. Brass was the metal of choice for scientific instruments, prized for its durability and ability to be precision-machined, and thus a highly valued raw material. Think of the skilled labor needed to produce such an elaborate device. Each component of the orrery had to be carefully crafted, assembled, and calibrated by hand, a reflection of the increasing division of labor in the 18th century. Wright's painting invites us to consider the relationship between art, science, and industry. It challenges our conventional understanding of both scientific and artistic skill, and points to an era of intense technological change.