Interior with an alchemist seated in centre and his assistants to left and right. Oil painting attributed to M. van Helmont, 16--.

The figure shown in the book open in front of the seated alchemist appears to be a larva (skeleton with flesh but no skin), described in indistinct text on the facing verso. It is similar to one in another painting of an alchemist (oil on canvas, 43 x 59 inches), signed by Helmont, in the collection of the Science History Institute, Philadelphia, in which the figure is a skeleton surmounted by the words "Mors vincit omnia" (death conquers all)