A woman performing chemical experiments with a furnace: representing chemistry. Etching by E-J-N. de Ghendt after C-N. Cochin the younger, 1773.

A chemist creates a new form of gunpowder - incombustible; representing a futile new invention. Coloure lithograph by J.-B.-D. Bourdel, 1835.

A chemist's laboratory, with the apparatus numbered for a key. Engraving, 1748.

Michael Faraday lecturing at the Royal Institution: Prince Albert and his sons in the audience. Wood engraving, 1856, after A. Blaikley.

An alchemist in a short orange gown blowing bellows into a still with an alembic. Pastel drawing.

A philosopher in his study, reading a book containing a print of a skeleton. Etching by J.A. von Prenner, 1728, after C. Paudiss.

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

Johannes Daniel Mylius. Line engraving, 1620.

A putto pours a phial into a dragon's mouth, pumping a bellows with his other hand; representing the fixing of volatile matter in the alchemical process. Watercolour painting.

Louis Pasteur, standing, holding eyeglasses, with chemical apparatus and books. Chromolithograph.

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1 print : lithograph ; image 14.9 x 18.8 cm

An alchemist wearing a tall hat, sitting at a table containing his chemical instruments. Lithograph by H. Wood after F. Howard.

1 print : line engraving ; image 8.5 x 7.9 cm

An elderly alchemist sitting next to his equipment. Engraving by C. Weigel, 1698.

The private laboratory of Godfrey (formerly Hankwitz) was founded by him at the beginning of the 18th century, erected adjacent to his garden in Southampton Street, Strand. It later continued under the name of Godfrey & Cooke, until 1863, when the Roman Catholic church Corpus Christi was built on its site. Godfrey had been Robert Boyle's assistant and continued his researches. He was Master of the laboratory in the Apothecaries Hall. From his private laboratory he supplied the apothecaries of London. His chief activity consisted in the investigation of the spa waters; among other things he prepared sulphuric ether

The chemical laboratory of Ambrose Godfrey: : the distilling room. Etching attributed to W.H. Toms after H. Gravelot.

The queen is aureoled by a rainbow of yellow and blue. Lennep comments that the original manuscript includes an inscription: "Filius natus ex me, major est me" (the son born of me is greater than me). Compare with the following drawing ( Wellcome Library catalogue no. 38827i), of the new king

Splendor solis

1 painting : watercolour ; image 42.3 x 22.1 cm.

A queen dressed in blue, representing mercury, in a crowned alchemical flask. Watercolour painting.

The print on which this painting is based is one work in a set of the four elements, in this case fire. The Latin verses on the print explain the beneficial and dangerous effects of fire. The alchemist is warned by a young woman, probably Prudentia, not to waste his money on the "fallacious art of alchemy" which deceives many. The alchemical equipment is that of the 16th century, including a round alembic with outlets for steam

1 painting : oil on wood ; wood approximately 39 x 50 cm

A young woman, perhaps Prudentia, warns an alchemist of the dangers of abusing fire: in the background fires rage in buildings and mines. Oil painting after Marten de Vos.

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Chemical apparatus

Images

Works

An alchemist wearing a tall hat, sitting at a table containing his chemical instruments. Lithograph by H. Wood after F. Howard.

An elderly alchemist sitting next to his equipment. Engraving by C. Weigel, 1698.

The chemical laboratory of Ambrose Godfrey: : the distilling room. Etching attributed to W.H. Toms after H. Gravelot.

A queen dressed in blue, representing mercury, in a crowned alchemical flask. Watercolour painting.

A young woman, perhaps Prudentia, warns an alchemist of the dangers of abusing fire: in the background fires rage in buildings and mines. Oil painting after Marten de Vos.

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Wellcome uses cookies.

Chemical apparatus

Images

Works

An alchemist wearing a tall hat, sitting at a table containing his chemical instruments. Lithograph by H. Wood after F. Howard.

An elderly alchemist sitting next to his equipment. Engraving by C. Weigel, 1698.

The chemical laboratory of Ambrose Godfrey: : the distilling room. Etching attributed to W.H. Toms after H. Gravelot.

A queen dressed in blue, representing mercury, in a crowned alchemical flask. Watercolour painting.

A young woman, perhaps Prudentia, warns an alchemist of the dangers of abusing fire: in the background fires rage in buildings and mines. Oil painting after Marten de Vos.

Wellcome Collection

Today’s opening times