An alchemist stoking a furnace in a dimly lit room, as daylight shines through a window. Engraving by P-F. Basan after T. Wyck.

  • Wyck, Thomas, approximately 1616-1677.
Date:
1700-1799
Reference:
36100i
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Description

Unlike two other pictures engraved after Wyck, this one has a hearth and the alchemist is active at the fire, handling tongs and crucible. The trap door in the floor and the ace of diamonds next to it are new features in the alchemical picture. There exists another engraving after the same painting that shows the alchemist's neglected wife and three children

Publication/Creation

Paris : chez Basan

Physical description

1 print : line engraving with etching

Lettering

Le chimiste en opération. Th. Wyck pinx. F. Basan exc.

References note

Marcel Roux, Inventaire du fonds français, graveurs du dix-huitième siècle, Bibliothèque nationale, Département des estampes, tome II, Paris 1933, pp. 120-121, no. 118 ("'Le chimiste en opération.' Dans un capharnaûm encombré d'ustensiles, il tient (à g.) un creuset sur le feu. Sous le tr. c : "Th. Wyck pinx. — F. Basan exc." Au bas : "Se vend à Paris, chez Basan." — H. 0m360 x L. 0m281. L'état décrit … Oeuvre de Basan, III, no. 25. Catalogue du fonds de H.-L. Basan, no. 2004. Prix: une livre, 10 sols.")

Reference

Wellcome Collection 36100i

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