Professions, Alchemist, Alchemy, Chemistry

"Ein Alchemist"

Wood engraving on a page of text about the development of chemistry
that continues on the reverse side. Published 1859.

Original antique print  

Image: 7.8 x 9.5 cm (3 x 3,7")
Alchemy (al-kīmiyā; χυμεία, khumeía), natural philosophy, a philosophical and protoscientific tradition that was historically practiced in China, India, the Muslim world, and Europe,  pseudepigraphical, purify, mature, and perfect materials, chrysopoeia, "base metals" (e.g., lead) into "noble metals" (particularly gold); elixir of immortality; panaceas able to cure any disease, perfection of the human body and soul was thought to result from the alchemical magnum opus ("Great Work"), philosophers' stone