An alchemist in his laboratory
Maker
After David Teniers the Younger
Date
Circa 19th Century
Description
Framed painting of an alchemist seated at a table, studying a manuscript in a darkened room. A skull, hourglass and and box also sit on the desk. The alchemist is surrounded by jars and glass scientific equipment sitting on the floor and utop a woodfire oven.
The theme of physicians and alchemists was a genre of painting popularised by 17th century Dutch and Flemish painters, of whom David Teniers the younger was the principle contributor to this genre. For much of the public, physicians and alchemists were regarded as quacks or charlatans, and this view was often reflected in the paintings produced by artists of this era. Teniers however, depicted the alchemist as a humble and learned scientist, diligently pursuing his research in labratories often crowded with instruments. Thus, a number of symbols common in Tenier's works became prevalent in Dutch and Flemish alchemist paintings of the period: often a skull and hourglass were present, indicative of the scholar's presence, but also reflective of traditional vanitas symbols (still life artworks), which were used to reflect the transicent nature of human existence, and the vanity of wordly goods and possessions.
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