Two Boys Blowing a Bladder by Candle-light

Engraver Peter Perez Burdett British
 After Joseph Wright (Wright of Derby) British

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.

Two Boys Blowing a Bladder by Candle-light, Peter Perez Burdett (British, probably Eastwood, Essex 1734/35–1793 Karlsruhe), Aquatint printed in red and brown inks

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Two Boys Blowing a Bladder by Candle-light, Peter Perez Burdett (British, probably Eastwood, Essex 1734/35–1793 Karlsruhe), Aquatint printed in red and brown inks
Two Boys Blowing a Bladder by Candle-light, Peter Perez Burdett (British, probably Eastwood, Essex 1734/35–1793 Karlsruhe), Aquatint printed in red and brown inks

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