The Alchymist
In Search of the Philosopher's Stone, Discovers Phosphorus, and prays for the successful Conclusion of his Operation, as was the custom of the Ancient Chymical Astrologers (1771)
Joseph Wright (1734-1797)
The AlchymistDerby Museum and Art Gallery, Derby, UK
This painting probably has the record for
the longest title in art history.
Wright was a popular artist (Catherine the Great actually bought one of his paintings), but it was his fascination with the new study of science that led to his "Scientific Enlightenment Subjects" --
paintings of industrial and scientific pursuit that celebrated the new Age of Reason.
But, science actually worked against him with this painting.
The painting alarmed the enlightened patrons because it did not represent the rational theory they believed in so firmly. The mere idea that a scientific discovery could happen by accident was an insult! It went completely against their rigid ideas of a knowable, explicable universe. Wright couldn't give away this painting
and it didn't sell until four years after his death.
Our favorite potion master looks a bit cautious about his discovery, doesn't he. You can almost see the wheels in his head turning. "Hmmm...excellent color...interesting glow...obviously dangerous...but it must be tested. Where's Granger's cat?"
Click to see the real The Alchymist
Click image above to go to the next page, or choose a thumbnail below
to go directly to that FAMOUS ARt.
to go directly to that FAMOUS ARt.
(I always give permission, but it's still nice to ask first)