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Julius Caesar Ibbetson (1759-1817)
George Biggins Ascent in Lunardis Balloon
c. 1785/88
Canvas, 50.5 x 61 cm
Bayerische Staatsgem.ldesammlungen, Neue Pinakothek, Munich, inv. no. 13067
In the eighteenth century the popularisation of science reached new heights. Knowledge, which had already been gathered in many fields, now found a wider audience through the constant growth of publishing with its new media. For the first time, research and teaching took place not only in a religious context or in institutions of the court. Scientific phenomena were no longer presented solely at universities but also in academies, salons and even at fairgrounds to instruct and entertain. People celebrated their scientists and discoveries, which were for the benefit of all humanity und aimed at controlling the world. The eighteenth century with its undying belief in progress laid the foundations for the developments of the nineteenth century in the leadup to the Industrial Revolution.

Harvey & Peak, London
Vacuum Pump c. 1850-1900 59 x 65 x 28.5 cm
Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, Mathematisch-Physikalischer Salon, inv. no. B II c 10

Valentine Green (1739-1813) after Joseph Wright of Derby (1734-1797)
An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump
1769 Mezzotint, 49 x 59.5 cm
Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Kupferstichkabinett, inv. no. 477-19,69