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 by E.A. Ibbs.

  • Ibbs, Edith A.
Date:
1900-1909
Reference:
38820i
Part of:
Splendor solis
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view 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 by E.A. Ibbs.

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Credit

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 by E.A. Ibbs. Wellcome Collection. Public Domain Mark. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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About this work

Also known as

Previous title, replaced June 2023 : 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.

Description

The dragon represents the volatile matter that must be fixed by using the element of fire

Publication/Creation

1900-1909

Physical description

1 painting : watercolour ; image 41.8 x 19.6 cm.

Series

Contributors

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 38820i

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

Reproduction note

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

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