'A Shocking Result'

An interesting painting, but I do not know it's original title or date of origin. Uncle Frank seems to have been depicting the effect of applying electric shocks to monks.

If anybody has any additional information please let me know.

The monk on the left appears to be holding one end of a wire coil which can be seen to stretch across the table to a Leyden jar (two Leyden jars in series?). The red device is presumably an electrostatic generator for the Leyden Jar(s).

The fifth monk from the left, depicted standing, is connected to the other end of the electrical circuit.

All of the five monks standing are holding hands, and displaying signs of experiencing an electric shock.

The two seated monks, are applying the electric shock, and are making observations.

Also pictured is a rack of test tubes containing various chemicals.

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