A crowned alchemical flask containing a young king, dressed in red, representing the culmination of the alchemical process. Watercolour painting by E.A. Ibbs.

Ibbs, Edith A.

Date:: 1900-1909

Reference:: 38827i

Part of:: Splendor solis

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Also known as

Previous title, replaced June 2023 : A crowned alchemical flask containing a young king, dressed in red, representing the culmination of the alchemical process. Watercolour painting.

Description

The king is aureoled by a bright glow, and stands upon an upturned crescent moon. Lennep describes an inscription on the original version: "Jam mors consumata et filius noster regnat rubea q toga et chermus indutus est" (Death has been consummated and our son reigns and is clad in a red cloak) (ibid. 128). Compare with the previous drawing of the queen (f Wellcome Library catalogue no. 38826)

Publication/Creation

1900-1909

Physical description

1 painting : watercolour ; image 41.9 x 22.2 cm.

Series

Splendor solis

Contributors

Creator/production credits

Painted by Edith Annie Ibbs (1863-1937) on commission from the secretary of the Historical Medical Exhibition organized by Henry S. Wellcome (C.J.S. Thompson), ca. 1907, and subsequently exhibited in the Wellcome Historical Medical Museum, Wigmore Street, London

References note

For detailed information on this series, cf. J. van Lennep, L'alchimie, Brussels 1984, pp. 110-129

This image is one of a sub-series in the 'Splendor solis', showing crowned alchemical flasks containing symbols of the various stages of the Great Work. In the original manuscript, scenes of symbolically relevant activities in village life are shown outside the image, along with an astronomical sign at the top

Reference

Wellcome Collection 38827i

Reproduction note

After: Salomon Trismosin, Splendor solis, 1582, British Library, Harley ms. 3469