The peacock's tail, 1582. In a crowned alchemical flask between gold columns is a peacock with its tail fully fanned out, representing the stage in the alchemical process when the substance breaks out into many colours. Above, a woman rides a chariot pulled by two birds. Historiated border with groups of figures feasting, reading, playing musical instruments, drinking wine and dancing. To the right a man and woman sit with their arms around each other. To the left couple walk together through the trees, while beyond them naked people bathe in a river. The stages of the alchemical process were attributed various colours; black, white and red being the main three. The stage of the peacock's tail, or the rainbow, was believed to occur before the white elixir was produced. Illustration of the Fourth Treatise. From "Splendor solis" (The Splendour of the sun).
Légende

The peacock's tail, 1582. In a crowned alchemical flask between gold columns is a peacock with its tail fully fanned out, representing the stage in the alchemical process when the substance breaks out into many colours. Above, a woman rides a chariot pulled by two birds. Historiated border with groups of figures feasting, reading, playing musical instruments, drinking wine and dancing. To the right a man and woman sit with their arms around each other. To the left couple walk together through the trees, while beyond them naked people bathe in a river. The stages of the alchemical process were attributed various colours; black, white and red being the main three. The stage of the peacock's tail, or the rainbow, was believed to occur before the white elixir was produced. Illustration of the Fourth Treatise. From "Splendor solis" (The Splendour of the sun).

Date

1582

Crédit

Photo12/Heritage Images/Heritage Art

Notre référence

HRM25A15_387

Model release

NA

Property release

NA

Licence

Droits gérés

Format disponible

50,0Mo (2,7Mo) / 28,1cm x 44,6cm / 3319 x 5270 (300dpi)

Mots clés

weather transport transportation nature Germany cloud clouds animal tree drink glass female women woman people male library man men walking riding rider music German plant plants arts bird birds country drinking science musician book guy bottles reading alcohol color display feathers golden feather peacock wine medieval gold column pillar pillars bagpipes chemistry location century musical instrument musical instruments flask literature crown miniature British Library manuscript liquor stringed instruments stringed instrument peacock feather laboratory equipment chariot road Transport Colour mediaeval Middle Ages 16th century alchemy sixteenth century trees alembic illuminated manuscript manuscript bottle sky Unknown Salomon Trismosin Trismosin Solomon Heritage Art peacock feathers Salomon Solomon Trismosin

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