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Description: | This scene set within a painted niche is the pendant to Teniers' The Dentist (Brodie Castle, 73.80a): an alchemist is depicted half-length and close to the picture plane in his laboratory. He is seated at a table, holding a flask in his left hand and his spectacles in the other hand. Pausing in his studies, he looks out at the viewer. In the background is a blazing furnace and several assistants are at work. The scattered coins lying on the ledge and his rich dress may refer to the theme of wealth founded on credulity. At the time alchemists, like doctors, were often considered as quacks. | Subjects: | everyday life | Source: | Vads | Creator: | Artist: Teniers, David, II (Flemish painter, 1610-1690) Æ After Previously attributed to Dou, Gerrit (Dutch painter and draftsman, 1613-1675) | Identifier: | http://www.vads.ac.uk/large.php?uid=8582... | Go to resource |
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