Weird and Wonderful Alchemical Illustrations (Flamel)

[Paul Ferguson]

"In the introduction to Prelude to Chemistry, Read comments on the intense pictorialism of alchemical writing. Often allegorical, symbolising of substances with animals, and using obvious biblical reference points, to modern eyes the illustrations can appear weird, even offensive. Often colourful, and drawn with extraordinary detail, they also have a subtle beauty and skilled artistry. Images consistently found within alchemical writing are those frequently described as ‘The Figures of Abraham the Jew’, which were drawn by Nicholas Flamel in his Livres des figures hieroglyphiques, examples of which, from several different manuscripts, illustrate this post."

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