A Candle in Place of the Sun: A Free Talk by Bob Moulder on Joseph Wright of Derby

Bob Moulder is giving a talk at Mickleover Library on Thursday 14 January, from 5pm to 6pm. The whole thing is called A Candle in Place of the Sun, and it's centred on one of Derby's most famous paintings: Joseph Wright of Derby's A Philosopher Lecturing on the Orrery.

If you've spent any time around the city's art galleries, you'll know the painting. It's that dramatic, candle-lit scene of a group gathered around an orrery — a mechanical model of the solar system — with the philosopher at the centre. Moulder spends the hour looking at the painting and talking about the role it played in Wright's career. It's a good way to get a bit more context on a piece that most of us recognise but might not know the full story behind.

There's a bit of a double-act going on here, too. Moulder isn't just talking about the painting as an art historian; he's an illustrator and art history tutor, and he's also the creator of the graphic novel The Orrery, which takes its title and subject from the very painting he's discussing. So the talk comes from someone who's looked at the work from two different angles — as a scholar and as a maker.

It's free, but you do need to book your place. You can pop into the library to sort it or call 01332 647884. The talk runs from 5pm to 6pm on Thursday 14 January at Mickleover Library.