A Philosopher Lecturing on the Orrery Solar System Desk Mat

The title of the piece is "A Philosopher Lecturing on the Orrery". The painting was done by Joseph Wright of Derby in 1766. The painting depicts a teacher giving a lecture about the solar system to his students. The teacher is using an orrery, which is a mechanical model of the solar system. Some people believe that the teacher in the painting is modeled after John Whitehurst, but others believe it bears a resemblance to a painting of Isaac Newton. The orrery demonstration uses a lamp to mimic the sun. - This work is in the public domain in its country of origin and other countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 100 years or fewer.