Between 1765 and 1771 (under the influence of his friend Peter Perez Burdett), Joseph Wright of Derby (1734-97) created three major paintings with ‘scientific themes’: A Philosopher Lecturing on the Orrery, A Bird in the Air Pump, and The Alchymist. His use of dramatic chiaroscuro effects has led him to be dubbed Painter of Light by Benedict Nicholson and Painter of Darkness by Matthew Craske. Wright’s meticulous attention to detail tempts us to treat them as quasi-photographic records of actual events. How far can we take that idea? What was he trying to do, and for whom? Do we now read these paintings differently from Wright’s contemporaries? 

Jonathan Powers was the first Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of the University of Derby and one of its first five Professors. His ‘professorial trade’ is Philosophy, but he is also a Chartered Physicist. He was previously Dean of Humanities at Middlesex Polytechnic, where he headed Degree Courses in three different Faculties. After retirement he became Project Champion for the Derby Multi-Faith Centre, founder Chairman of the Derby Chamber Music Society, and also chaired Derby Playhouse. Inter alia he has published more than twenty small monographs, primarily on culturally significant figures associated with the East Midlands Enlightenme 

 Presenter: Emeritus Professor Jonathan Powers 

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