An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump (1768)

An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump is an oil-on-canvas painting completed in 1768 by Joseph Wright of Derby. According to Wikipedia, what makes it stand out is that "the painting departed from convention of the time by depicting a scientific subject in the reverential manner formerly reserved for scenes of historical or religious sigificance." For me, the goth look is so vibrant with emotions that pop out to us 252 years later.

More info on this art (and to see a larger image) at The National Gallery including an informative video.