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The Alchemist’s Studio

Attributed to Gerard Thomas1650/1699

Science History Institute

Science History Institute
Philadelphia, United States

This painting depicts a bustling and prosperous workshop showing a range of alchemical activities, from metallurgical work--such as the heating of a small crucible at lower left--to medical practices, demonstrated by the figure at far right holding up a flask of urine for examination and diagnosis. The elderly alchemist works a pair of hand bellows while his assistants tend to a pair of furnaces. A celestial globe at center is joined by the pairing of an hourglass and skull, symbols of “vanitas,” or vanity objects which remind the viewer of life’s brevity. A small dog and parrot can also be found at right, tended by a young boy.

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  • Title: The Alchemist’s Studio
  • Creator: Attributed to Gerard Thomas
  • Creator Nationality: Flemish
  • Date Created: 1650/1699
  • Provenance: Gift of Roy Eddleman, Science History Institute
  • External Link: View our digital collections
  • Medium: Oil on canvas
Science History Institute

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