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Alchemical Texts over 300 examples 15/16th Century 17th Century 18th Century Philosophical and spiritual Practical Alchemical allegories Alchemical poetry Imagery graphics and artwork Graphic signs Apparatus Emblematic imagery Artwork Bibliography books and manuscripts Galleries of coloured Emblems 300 Individual Emblems Series of 600 Emblems Astronomical/Astrological Emblematic material Title pages Themes Articles various themes Scholarly Symbolism Practical Psychological Esoteric Literature Art Individual Alchemists Alchemy and art Alchemical Laboratories Contemporary artists Alchemical art prints Splendor Solis art project Alchemical Emblems project Alchemy exhibition 2007 Virtual Musaeum of imagery Practical Alchemy in other cultures and languages Chinese alchemy Indian Alchemy Islamic alchemy Burmese alchemy Texts in French Texts in German Texts in Dutch Texts in Italian Texts in Spanish Texts in Russian Texts in Portuguese Discussion Groups Study Courses Introduction Recent Additions Alchemy Web Bookshop

Alchemy in the History of Ideas Back to introduction During the latter half of the 20th century the focus of some scholars turned towards alchemy, which had been much neglected until that time by serious researchers. Historians of art, the history of ideas and literature became aware of the ways in which alchemical ideas had influenced artists, philosophers and writers in past centuries. As historians explored the documents and letters of important people of the 16th and 17th centuries they sometimes found connections to alchemy. The courts of Rudolf II in Prague, of Moritz of Hessen-Kassel, and Frederick of the Palatinate all had close ties to alchemists. Alchemy at that time was not some ancient worn out philosophy, but was viewed as being at the leading edge of the technology of the time. Alchemists such as Thurneisser and Glauber were actively involved in the chemical industry, making key substances necessary for the economy of that period. Alchemists of that period required the patronage of wealthy and influential people if they were to gain the leisure for their studies. All this is visible to historians and documented in letters and manuscripts, so it is possible nowadays to investigate what was taking place in alchemy many hundreds of years ago. In the early part of the 20th century this in-depth historical research was very difficult to do, consequently, many people then held instead to the belief that we could never find out about alchemy and alchemists in any exact way. This opened the doors to all sort of speculative esoteric books, which portrayed alchemists in an idealised and romanticised way. In this regard we need only think of the writings of, say, Manly Palmer Hall. In time, the scholars were able to penetrate what was up till then a seemingly impenetrable morass of speculative nonesense and make believe, and at the beginning of the 21st century we now have a much clearer historical picture of alchemy and alchemists. The scholarly approach to alchemy is very rewarding as one gets to a much better focussed picture of alchemy and its place in the society of its time, in the context of the 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. See the page of scholarly articles,   my alchemy academy discussion group archives or the bibliography section

Introduction Reading list Some quotations Frequently asked questions Common misconceptions Timeline The different ways of looking at alchemy ------- Proto-chemistry Symbolism Psychology allegorical journeys mysticism metaphysical historians of ideas Study Courses Alchemical, astrological and emblematic art prints Alchemy and art Art books Series Study course on Bosch's Garden of Earthly Delights New Hieronymus Bosch Website