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{{Short description|Painting by Joseph Wright of Derby}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
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{{Infobox artwork
{{Infobox artwork
| image_file = Joseph Wright of Derby The Alchemist.jpg
| image_file = Joseph Wright of Derby The Alchemist.jpg
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| image_size = 300px
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| title = The Alchemist Discovering Phosphorus
| title = The Alchemist Discovering Phosphorus
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'''''The Alchemist Discovering Phosphorus''''' is a painting by [[Joseph Wright of Derby]] originally completed in 1771 then reworked in 1795.<ref name="Vertesi - ReoCities">{{cite web|last=Vertesi|first=Janet|title=Light and Enlightenment in Joseph Wright of Derby's The Alchymist|url=http://www.reocities.com/jvertesi/wright/#_ftn11|publisher=ReoCities|accessdate=26 April 2011}}</ref> The full title of the painting is '''''The Alchymist, in Search of the Philosopher's Stone, Discovers Phosphorus, and prays for the successful Conclusion of his operation, as was the custom of the Ancient Chymical Astrologers'''''. It has been suggested that ''The Alchymist'' refers to the discovery of [[phosphorus]] by the [[Hamburg]] [[alchemist]] [[Hennig Brandt]] in 1669.<ref name="Revolutionary Players article">{{cite web|title=The Alchymist in Search of the Philosopher's Stone (Exhibited 1771)|url=http://www.search.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/engine/resource/exhibition/standard/child.asp?txtKeywords=&lstContext=&lstResourceType=&lstExhibitionType=&chkPurchaseVisible=&txtDateFrom=&txtDateTo=&x1=&y1=&x2=&y2=&scale=&theme=&album=&viewpage=%2Fengine%2Fresource%2Fexhibition%2Fstandard%2Fchild.asp&originator=&page=&records=&direction=&pointer=&text=&resource=5230&exhibition=1654&offset=0|publisher=Revolutionary Players|accessdate=1 May 2011}}</ref> This story was often printed in popular chemical books in Wright's lifetime, and was widely known.
'''''The Alchemist Discovering Phosphorus''''' is a painting by [[Joseph Wright of Derby]] originally completed in 1771 then reworked in 1795.<ref name="Vertesi - ReoCities">{{cite web|last=Vertesi|first=Janet|title=Light and Enlightenment in Joseph Wright of Derby's The Alchymist|url=http://www.reocities.com/jvertesi/wright#_ftn11|publisher=ReoCities|access-date=26 April 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004004754/http://www.reocities.com/jvertesi/wright/#_ftn11|archive-date=4 October 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The full title of the painting is '''''The Alchymist, in Search of the Philosopher's Stone, Discovers Phosphorus, and prays for the successful Conclusion of his operation, as was the custom of the Ancient Chymical Astrologers'''''. It has been suggested that ''The Alchymist'' refers to the discovery of [[phosphorus]] by the [[Hamburg]] [[alchemist]] [[Hennig Brand]] in 1669.<ref name="Revolutionary Players article">{{cite web|title=The Alchymist in Search of the Philosopher's Stone (Exhibited 1771)|url=http://www.search.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/engine/resource/exhibition/standard/child.asp?txtKeywords=&lstContext=&lstResourceType=&lstExhibitionType=&chkPurchaseVisible=&txtDateFrom=&txtDateTo=&x1=&y1=&x2=&y2=&scale=&theme=&album=&viewpage=/engine/reso|publisher=Revolutionary Players|access-date=1 May 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240526024839/https://www.webcitation.org/69X9wLlLm?url=http://www.search.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/engine/resource/exhibition/standard/child.asp%3FtxtKeywords=&lstContext=&lstResourceType=&lstExhibitionType=&chkPurchaseVisible=&txtDateFrom=&txtDateTo=&x1=&y1=&x2=&y2=&scale=&theme=&album=&viewpage=/engine/reso|archive-date=26 May 2024|df=dmy-all}}</ref> This story was often printed in popular chemical books in Wright's lifetime, and was widely known.


==Description==
==Description==


The picture shows the alchemist trying to produce the elusive [[Philosopher's stone]], which could turn ordinary metal into gold, but instead, to his amazement, he discovers phosphorus. However, Wright does not picture the alchemist in a 17th-century background but he romanticises the room by imagining medieval gothic arches and high, pointed windows as if he is in a church. He also gave a very favourable impression of the actual process which involves the reduction by boiling of urine. A 1730 description of the manufacture of phosphorus described the need for 50 or 60 pails of urine that was both putrid and "bred worms".<ref name=whitten>{{cite book|last=Whitten|first=Kenneth W.|title=Chemistry p.126|year=2007|publisher=Cengage Learning|pages=1066|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JsMdeVqMp_MC&pg=PA122&dq=urine+brand+wright+joseph&hl=en&ei=9ou-TfHVMsGHhQftuvDJBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CDUQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=urine%20brand%20wright%20joseph&f=false}}</ref>
The picture shows the alchemist trying to produce the elusive [[Philosopher's stone]], which could turn ordinary metal into gold, but instead, to his amazement, he discovers phosphorus. However, Wright does not picture the alchemist in a 17th-century background, but he romanticises the room by imagining medieval gothic arches and high, pointed windows as if he is in a church. He also gave a very favourable impression of the actual process, which involves the reduction by boiling of urine. A 1730 description of the manufacture of phosphorus described the need for 50 or 60 pails of urine that was both putrid and "bred worms".<ref name=whitten>{{cite book|last=Whitten|first=Kenneth W.|title=Chemistry|year=2007|publisher=Cengage Learning|page=122|isbn=9780495011965|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JsMdeVqMp_MC&q=urine+brand+wright+joseph&pg=PA122}}</ref>

[[File:Alchemist Thomas Wijck.jpg|thumb|130px|left|''The Alchemist'' by [[Thomas Wijck]]]]
[[File:Thomas Wijck - An Alchemist - WGA25742.jpg|upright|thumb|left|''The Alchemist'' by [[Thomas Wijck]]]]
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Wright also gives religious connotations to the painting. The alchemist kneels in front of a shining vessel, stretching out his hands in a similar gesture to that used by [[El Greco]] when painting ''St Francis receiving the Stigmata'' or ''St Jerome in Prayer''.<ref name="Derby Museum">{{cite web|title=Art treasure – The Alchymist|url=http://www.derby.gov.uk/LeisureCulture/MuseumsGalleries/ArttreasureTheAlchymist.htm|accessdate=1 May 2011}}</ref> [[Benedict Nicolson]] compares his posture to that of one of Christ's disciples receiving communion. He believes that the layout of the painting may have been taken from [[Thomas Wijck]]'s painting (''left'') of an alchemist which also contains similar vaulting, a confusion of objects and a similar assistant who is singled out by the light. This painting from the previous century was on display in London during Wright's lifetime.{{sfn|Nicolson|1968|p=52}} However it is clear from a sketch by Wright's companion, [[Peter Perez Burdett]], that he had a strong influence on the design. His sketch of 4 February 1771 shows the vaulting and the layout of the painting with the glass container as its focus. It is Burdett who says where to place the figure in the painting and Burdett had already referred Wright to [[Matthew Turner]] so that Wright might fully understand the underlying science in the painting.{{sfn|Nicolson|1968|p=118}}

⚫
Wright also gives religious connotations to the painting. The alchemist kneels in front of a shining vessel, stretching out his hands in a similar gesture to that used by [[El Greco]] when painting ''St Francis receiving the Stigmata'' or ''St Jerome in Prayer''.<ref name="Derby Museum">{{cite web|title=Art treasure – The Alchymist|url=http://www.derby.gov.uk/LeisureCulture/MuseumsGalleries/ArttreasureTheAlchymist.htm|access-date=1 May 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101223145643/http://www.derby.gov.uk/LeisureCulture/MuseumsGalleries/ArttreasureTheAlchymist.htm|archive-date=23 December 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref> [[Benedict Nicolson]] compares his posture to that of one of Christ's disciples receiving communion. He believes that the layout of the painting may have been taken from [[Thomas Wijck]]'s painting (''left'') of an alchemist, which also contains similar vaulting, a confusion of objects and a similar assistant who is singled out by the light. This painting from the previous century was on display in London during Wright's lifetime.{{sfn|Nicolson|1968|p=52}} However, it is clear from a sketch by Wright's companion, [[Peter Perez Burdett]], that he had a strong influence on the design. His sketch of 4 February 1771 shows the vaulting and the layout of the painting, with the glass container as its focus. It is Burdett who says where to place the figure in the painting, and Burdett had already referred Wright to [[Matthew Turner (physician)|Matthew Turner]] so that Wright might fully understand the underlying science in the painting.{{sfn|Nicolson|1968|p=118}}


==History==
==History==


Since its exhibition in 1771, the picture has provoked many contradictory interpretations. Its mystery obviously disturbed 18th century viewers, and although Wright was an internationally recognised artist, the painting was not sold when he first exhibited it. The picture travelled with Wright to Italy in 1773–1775, came back to England, was reworked in 1795, but was only sold four years after his death, when his possessions were auctioned at [[Christie's]].<ref name="Vertesi - ReoCities" />
Since its exhibition in 1771, the picture has provoked many contradictory interpretations. Its mystery disturbed 18th-century viewers, and although Wright was an internationally recognised artist, the painting was not sold when he first exhibited it. The picture travelled with Wright to Italy in 1773–1775, came back to England, was reworked in 1795, but was only sold four years after his death, when his possessions were auctioned at [[Christie's]].<ref name="Vertesi - ReoCities" />


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
{{refbegin}}
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book|last=Nicolson|first=Benedict|title=Joseph Wright of Derby: painter of light, Volume 1|year=1968|publisher=Taylor & Francis|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ms09AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA52&dq=alchemist+wright+joseph&hl=en&ei=kp6-Tf2RIMeLhQfH-7XaBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CDoQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=alchemist%20wright%20joseph&f=false|access-date=2 February 2016|ref=harv}}
* {{cite book|last=Nicolson|first=Benedict|title=Joseph Wright of Derby: painter of light, Volume 1|year=1968|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=9780710062840|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ms09AAAAIAAJ&q=alchemist+wright+joseph&pg=PA52|access-date=2 February 2016}}
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{{Derby Museum}}
{{refend}}
{{refend}}

{{Joseph Wright of Derby}}
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{{Derby Museum|state=expanded}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Alchemist Discovering Phosphorus}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Alchemist Discovering Phosphorus}}
[[Category:Paintings by Joseph Wright of Derby]]
[[Category:Paintings by Joseph Wright of Derby]]
[[Category:Collections of Derby Museum and Art Gallery]]
[[Category:Collection of Derby Museum and Art Gallery]]
[[Category:1771 paintings]]
[[Category:1771 paintings]]
[[Category:Alchemy in fiction]]
[[Category:Fiction about alchemy]]
[[Category:Science in art]]
[[Category:Science in art]]

Latest revision as of 00:10, 26 August 2024

The Alchemist Discovering Phosphorus
ArtistJoseph Wright of Derby
Year1771 (1771)
Dimensions127 cm × 101.6 cm (50 in × 40.0 in)
LocationDerby Museum and Art Gallery, Derby

The Alchemist Discovering Phosphorus is a painting by Joseph Wright of Derby originally completed in 1771 then reworked in 1795.[1] The full title of the painting is The Alchymist, in Search of the Philosopher's Stone, Discovers Phosphorus, and prays for the successful Conclusion of his operation, as was the custom of the Ancient Chymical Astrologers. It has been suggested that The Alchymist refers to the discovery of phosphorus by the Hamburg alchemist Hennig Brand in 1669.[2] This story was often printed in popular chemical books in Wright's lifetime, and was widely known.

Description

[edit]

The picture shows the alchemist trying to produce the elusive Philosopher's stone, which could turn ordinary metal into gold, but instead, to his amazement, he discovers phosphorus. However, Wright does not picture the alchemist in a 17th-century background, but he romanticises the room by imagining medieval gothic arches and high, pointed windows as if he is in a church. He also gave a very favourable impression of the actual process, which involves the reduction by boiling of urine. A 1730 description of the manufacture of phosphorus described the need for 50 or 60 pails of urine that was both putrid and "bred worms".[3]

The Alchemist by Thomas Wijck

Wright also gives religious connotations to the painting. The alchemist kneels in front of a shining vessel, stretching out his hands in a similar gesture to that used by El Greco when painting St Francis receiving the Stigmata or St Jerome in Prayer.[4] Benedict Nicolson compares his posture to that of one of Christ's disciples receiving communion. He believes that the layout of the painting may have been taken from Thomas Wijck's painting (left) of an alchemist, which also contains similar vaulting, a confusion of objects and a similar assistant who is singled out by the light. This painting from the previous century was on display in London during Wright's lifetime.[5] However, it is clear from a sketch by Wright's companion, Peter Perez Burdett, that he had a strong influence on the design. His sketch of 4 February 1771 shows the vaulting and the layout of the painting, with the glass container as its focus. It is Burdett who says where to place the figure in the painting, and Burdett had already referred Wright to Matthew Turner so that Wright might fully understand the underlying science in the painting.[6]

History

[edit]

Since its exhibition in 1771, the picture has provoked many contradictory interpretations. Its mystery disturbed 18th-century viewers, and although Wright was an internationally recognised artist, the painting was not sold when he first exhibited it. The picture travelled with Wright to Italy in 1773–1775, came back to England, was reworked in 1795, but was only sold four years after his death, when his possessions were auctioned at Christie's.[1]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Vertesi, Janet. "Light and Enlightenment in Joseph Wright of Derby's The Alchymist". ReoCities. Archived from the original on 4 October 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2011.
  2. ^ "The Alchymist in Search of the Philosopher's Stone (Exhibited 1771)". Revolutionary Players. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2011.
  3. ^ Whitten, Kenneth W. (2007). Chemistry. Cengage Learning. p. 122. ISBN 9780495011965.
  4. ^ "Art treasure – The Alchymist". Archived from the original on 23 December 2010. Retrieved 1 May 2011.
  5. ^ Nicolson 1968, p. 52.
  6. ^ Nicolson 1968, p. 118.
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