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.

Three-tiered symbolic diagram of the art of alchemy: top level, symbols of the states of matter; middle level, cabalistic diagrams; lower level, the two techniques of alchemy: distillation and calcination. Engraving by R. Custos, 1616.

An alchemical adept carrying the vase of Hermes, which is inscribed "Let us go to seek the nature of the four elements". 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. Engraving by C. de Passe after M. de Vos, 16th century.

Female figures representing the elements of air, earth and water. Etching by G. Vascellini after A. Fedi the elder after bas-relief in Florence.

A man made up out of chemical apparatus, symbols, and chemicals. Coloured lithograph.

The Hermetic androgyne; representing the stages of the alchemical Work in One. Watercolour painting.

concept

Shop

Galleries and Reading Room

Library

Café

We’re undertaking research with website visitors to find out some more about you and what you thought about your visit. This survey will take less than 10 minutes to complete. Thank you for your time!

What brought you to our website today?

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

The four qualities, elements, humours and temperaments. Drawing, 19--.

1 print : engraving ; image and border 10.5 x 18.5 cm

Four phases of the Earth's rotation around the sun showing the seasons, with allegories of the four elements. Engraving, 1750.

The engraving is symbolically divided into 'Natur' (left) and 'Kunst' (right). The upper level shows the conversion of aquiline, volatile "prima materia" into an "ultima materia" (lettering on open books held by men on each side) harnessed by art and represented by the lion. The middle level shows a miner chipping at stone in a cave (left) and another miner bringing precious metals from the cave on to a bridge. The lower image shows the chemical apparatus appropriate to each of the two 'ways' of alchemy

The "man" has a globe containing a triangle (representing the element of fire) as a chest. His bottom half is made up of a glass jar filled with yellow balls; the word 'poppy' is written on a red banner around them

Wellcome uses cookies.

Four elements (Philosophy)

Images

Works

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.

The four qualities, elements, humours and temperaments. Drawing, 19--.

Four phases of the Earth's rotation around the sun showing the seasons, with allegories of the four elements. Engraving, 1750.

Three-tiered symbolic diagram of the art of alchemy: top level, symbols of the states of matter; middle level, cabalistic diagrams; lower level, the two techniques of alchemy: distillation and calcination. Engraving by R. Custos, 1616.

A man made up out of chemical apparatus, symbols, and chemicals. Coloured lithograph.

Today’s opening times

Wellcome uses cookies.

Four elements (Philosophy)

Images

Works

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.

The four qualities, elements, humours and temperaments. Drawing, 19--.

Four phases of the Earth's rotation around the sun showing the seasons, with allegories of the four elements. Engraving, 1750.

Three-tiered symbolic diagram of the art of alchemy: top level, symbols of the states of matter; middle level, cabalistic diagrams; lower level, the two techniques of alchemy: distillation and calcination. Engraving by R. Custos, 1616.

A man made up out of chemical apparatus, symbols, and chemicals. Coloured lithograph.

Wellcome Collection

Today’s opening times