A young woman, perhaps Prudentia, warns an alchemist of the dangers of abusing fire: in the background fires rage in buildings and mines. Engraving by C. de Passe after M. de Vos, 16th century.

  • Vos, Maarten de, 1532-1603.
Reference:
35332i
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Description

The print is one work in a set of the four elements, in this case fire. The Latin verses in the imprint explain the beneficial and dangerous effects of fire. The alchemist is warned by a young woman, probably Prudentia, not to waste his money on the "fallacious art of alchemy" which deceives many. The alchemical equipment is that of the 16th century, including a round alembic with outlets for steam

Publication/Creation

[Antwerp] : Crispin de Passe

Physical description

1 print : line engraving

Contributors

Lettering

Ignis. Igne quid utilius; modo non sit et eius abusus,/ Nam focus à flammis, et quòd fouet omnia, dictus/ Frigida membra leuat, sensus quoque nutrit, et escas/ Extorret; rebusque addit, res mira, saporem ... Lettering continues: "At tu divitias, multo et quæ parta labore/ Pondera sunt auri, per flammas perdere pergis?/ Imponit multis ars Alcumistica fallax;/ Autoreḿque suum tandem execratur et ipsa. Martin de Vos figuravit. Crispin van de Passe scalp. et exc."

Reference

Wellcome Collection 35332i

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