The Orrery was painted without a commission , probably in the expectation that it would be bought by Washington Shirley , 5th Earl Ferrers , an amateur astronomer who had an orrery of his own , and with whom Wright 's friend Peter Perez Burdett was staying while in Derbyshire .
Wright expected that Washington Shirley , 5th Earl Ferrers , an amateur astronomer , will buy the painting , because Shirley had his own orrery , and Wright 's friend Peter Perez Burdett was staying with him .