What curious object do these figures gather around? 🤔 In the atmospheric painting 'A Philosopher Giving That Lecture on the Orrery in Which a Lamp Is Put in the Place of the Sun', Joseph Wright ‘of Derby’ depicts a lecturer demonstrating the harmonious and ordered movements of the planets to an audience. As the other figures in the composition gaze intently at the mechanical model, Wright appears to elevate the lecturer both physically and symbolically, presenting him almost as a divine figure. A lamp has been installed to represent the sun. We do not see this light source directly, only how it illuminates the lecturer and his rapt spectators. The object is an orrery, a mechanical model of the solar system, invented in the early 1700s. Scientific demonstrations featuring devices like this became a popular form of entertainment in the mid-18th century. 🔗 Find the painting on display as part of our exhibition, 'Wright of Derby: From the Shadows', the first major exhibition dedicated to the British artist’s ‘candlelight’ works. Click the link in our bio to book your ticket. Details from Joseph Wright 'of Derby', 'A Philosopher giving That Lecture on the Orrery in Which a Lamp Is Put in the Place of the Sun', exhibited 1766 © Derby Museums. #ArtHistory #Exhibition #NationalGallery

How did this painting save its artist’s life? 🤔 Parmigianino is one of the most inventive and influential artists of the Italian Renaissance. His huge altarpiece, 'The Madonna and Child with Saints', has had a particularly precarious life - or so the art historian Giorgio Vasari tells us. Swipe to learn more ➡️ #ArtHistory #NationalGallery

What makes this painting so special? 🤔 At a time when very few women worked as artists, Catharina van Hemessen painted with confidence and skill, proudly signing her name on nearly all her works. In fact, she is the earliest known European woman painter whose works can be identified without doubt. She was just 23 years old when she created this small, intricate 'Portrait of a Woman' in 1551. Although we do not know who the sitter in this artwork was, her soft brown eyes and slight smile draw us in. She was evidently wealthy. Her fine shirt, visible at her neck and wrists, is adorned with delicate black embroidery, and her sleeves are made of red velvet. Her belt is made of gold and black beads and cylinders, held in place with gold settings. It most likely carried a pomander (a round vessel, usually a fine piece of gilded metalwork containing perfume) at its end. 🔗 In the lead up to International Women’s Day, we sat down with curator Dr Christine Seidel to find out more about this remarkable artist. Click the link in our bio to read the full article. #ArtHistory #WomensHistoryMonth #NationalGallery