Magnum Opus Collection

Emblem 50. The dragon killed the woman and she killed him, and both are covered in blood, 1816
Emblem 50. The dragon killed the woman and she killed him, and both are covered in blood. From "Atalanta fugiens" by Mich, 1816. Private Collection

Emblem 49. The philosophical child recognizes three fathers, like Orion, 1816
Emblem 49. The philosophical child recognizes three fathers, like Orion. From "Atalanta fugiens" by Michael Maier, 1816. Private Collection

Emblem 48. The king gets an illness from drinking water, but when healed by doctors he... 1816
Emblem 48. The king gets an illness from drinking water, but when healed by doctors he regains health. From "Atalanta f, 1816. Private Collection

Emblem 47. The wolf coming from the staircase and the dog coming from the staircase have... 1816
Emblem 47. The wolf coming from the staircase and the dog coming from the staircase have bitten each other. From "Atalanta fugiens" v, 1816. Private Collection

Emblem 46. Two eagles, one from the east, the other from the west, come together, 1816
Emblem 46. Two eagles, one from the east, the other from the west, come together. From "Atalanta fugiens" by Michael Maier, 1816. Private Collection

Emblem 45. The sun and its shadow accomplish the work, 1816. Creator: Merian, Matthäus, the Elder (1593-1650)
Emblem 45. The sun and its shadow accomplish the work. From "Atalanta fugiens" by Michael Maier, 1816. Private Collection

Emblem 44. Through deceit Typhon kills Osiris and scatters his members, which in turn brings...1816 Creator: Merian
Emblem 44. Through deceit Typhon kills Osiris and scatters his members, which in turn brings together Isis, as far as is known, 1816. Private Collection

Emblem 43. Listen to the talking vulture, who in no way deceives you, 1816
Emblem 43. Listen to the talking vulture, who in no way deceives you. From "Atalanta fugiens" by Michael Maier, 1816. Private Collection

Emblem 42. To him who is in Chymicis be nature, reason, experience and reading... 1816
Emblem 42. To him who is in Chymicis be nature, reason, experience and reading as a guide, staff, glasses and, 1816. Private Collection

Emblem 41. Adonis is slain by a boar, and as Venus comes running she colours the Roses... 1816
Emblem 41. Adonis is killed by a wild boar. As Venus wanted to help him, she colored the roses red with blood. Ow, 1816. Private Collection

Emblem 40. Make two waters into one, and it will be the water of health, 1816
Emblem 40. Make two waters into one, and it will be the water of health. From "Atalanta fugiens" by Michael Maier, 1816. Private Collection

Emblem 39. Oedipus, after defeating the Sphynx and killing his father, takes his mother... 1816
Emblem 39. Oedipus, after defeating the Sphynx and killing his father, takes his mother as his wife. From "Atalanta fugiens" by Mich, 1816. Private Collection

Emblem 38. The Rebis like a hermaphrodite is born from two mountains, Mercurius and Venus, 1816
Emblem 38. The Rebis like a hermaphrodite is born from two mountains, Mercurius and Venus. From "Atalanta fugiens" by Michael Maier, 1816. Private Collection

Emblem 37. Three things are sufficient for mastery, the white smoke, which is water... 1816
Emblem 37. Three things are sufficient for mastery, the white smoke, which is water, the green lion, the ore Hermes, and the embroidery, 1816. Private Collection

Emblem 36. This stone is cast on the earth and lifted up on the mountains, dwells in the air and is fed in rivers, that is, 1816. Private Collection

Emblem 35. Like Ceres Triptolemum, Thetis brought Achillem to get used to the fire, so the artist should use the stone, 1816. Private Collection

Emblem 34. He is conceived in a water bath and born in the air, but when he turns... 1816
Emblem 34. He is conceived in a water bath and born in the air, but when he turns red he leaves the water. From "Atala, 1816. Private Collection

Emblem 33. The hermaphrodite, lying like a dead person in darkness, needs fire, 1816
Emblem 33. The hermaphrodite, lying like a dead person in darkness, needs fire. From "Atalanta fugiens" by Michael Maier, 1816. Private Collection

Emblem 32. The coral as it grows under the water and is hardened by air, so does the stone, 1816
Emblem 32. The coral as it grows under the water and is hardened by air, so does the stone. From "Atalanta fugiens" v, 1816. Private Collection

Emblem 31. The king, swimming in the sea, cries out with a loud voice: Whoever saves me... 1816
Emblem 31. The king, swimming in the sea, cries out with a loud voice: Whoever saves me will receive a great gift. From "At, 1816. Private Collection

Emblem 30. The sun needs the moon, like the rooster needs the hens, 1618. Creator: Merian, Matthäus
Emblem 30. The sun needs the moon, like the rooster needs the hens. From "Atalanta fugiens" by Michael Maier, 1618. Private Collection

Emblem 28. The king bathes in the airy bath and is rid of the black bile by Pharut, 1618
Emblem 28. The king bathes in the airy bath and is rid of the black bile by Pharut. From "Atalanta fugiens" by Michael Maier, 1618. Private Collection

Emblem 27. Whoever wants to go in the philosopher's rose garden without the key is like a... 1618
Emblem 27. Whoever wants to go in the philosopher's rose garden without the key is like a man who wants to go without feet, 1618. Private Collection

Emblem 26. The fruit of human wisdom is the wood of life, 1618. Creator: Merian, Matthäus, the Elder (1593-1650)
Emblem 26. The fruit of human wisdom is the wood of life. From "Atalanta fugiens" by Michael Maier, 1618. Private Collection

Emblem 25. The dragon does not die unless killed by his brother and sister, which are Sol... 1618
Emblem 25. The dragon does not die unless killed by his brother and sister, which are Sol & Luna. A, 1618. Private Collection

Emblem 24. The wolf ate the king, and how he burned the life back to him, 1618
Emblem 24. The wolf ate the king, and how he burned the life back to him. From "Atalanta fugiens" by Michael Maier, 1618. Private Collection

Emblem 23. It rains gold as Pallas is born at Rhodes and the sun is at Venus, 1618
Emblem 23. It rains gold as Pallas is born at Rhodes and the sun is at Venus. From "Atalanta fugiens" by Michael Maier, 1618. Private Collection

Emblem 22. If you have the white lead, do the woman's work, that is, cooking, 1618
Emblem 22. If you have the white lead, do the woman's work, that is, cooking. From "Atalanta fugiens" by Michael Maier, 1618. Private Collection

Emblem 21. Make a circle of man and woman, out of it a square, out of that into a triangle... 1618
Emblem 21. Make a circle of man and woman, out of it a square, out of that into a triangle, make a circle, and you shall have, 1618. Private Collection

Emblem 20. Nature teaches nature to overcome fire. From "Atalanta fugiens" by Michael Maier, 1618. Private Collection

Emblem 19. If you kill one of the four, soon they will all die, 1618. Creator: Merian, Matthäus, the Elder (1593-1650)
Emblem 19. If you kill one of the four, soon they will all die. From "Atalanta fugiens" by Michael Maier, 1618. Private Collection

Emblem 18. Fire makes fiery, not gold, but gold. From "Atalanta fugiens" by Michael Maier, 1618. Private Collection

Emblem 16. This lion has no feathers, but that one has. From "Atalanta fugiens" by Michael... 1618
Emblem 16. This lion has no feathers, but that one has. From "Atalanta fugiens" by Michael Maier, 1618. Private Collection

Emblem 17. A fourfold ball of fire governs this work. From "Atalanta fugiens" by Michael Maier, 1618. Private Collection

Emblem 15. The potter's work, consisting of dry and wet, shall teach you, 1618
Emblem 15. The potter's work, consisting of dry and wet, shall teach you. From "Atalanta fugiens" by Michael Maier, 1618. Private Collection

Emblem 14. This is the dragon eating its own tail. From "Atalanta fugiens" by Michael Maier, 1618. Private Collection

Emblem 12. The stone that Saturn ate and spat out before Jupiter's son is remembered... 1618
Emblem 12. The stone that Saturn ate and spat out before Jupiter's son is remembered on the mountain, 1618. Private Collection

Emblem 10. Give fire to fire, Mercurius to Mercurius, and it is enough for you, 1618
Emblem 10. Give fire to fire, Mercurius to Mercurius, and it is enough for you. From "Atalanta fugiens" by Michael Maier, 1618. Private Collection

Emblem 3. Go to the woman who washes her smiles, do the same, 1618. Creator: Merian, Matthäus, the Elder (1593-1650)
Emblem 3. Go to the woman who washes her smiles, do the same. From "Atalanta fugiens" by Michael Maier, 1618. Private Collection

Emblem 2. The earth is his wet nurse. From "Atalanta fugiens" by Michael Maier, 1618. Private Collection

Emblem 1. The wind carried him in his belly. From "Atalanta fugiens" by Michael Maier, 1618. Private Collection

Hermes Trismegistus. From De divinatione et magicis praestigiis, 1616. Creator: Bry, Johann Theodor de (1561-1623)
Hermes Trismegistus. From De divinatione et magicis praestigiis, 1616. Private Collection

Saturn. (Planetarum effectus et eorum in signis zodiaci), 1585. Creator: Sadeler, Jan (Johannes), the Elder (1550-1600)
Saturn. (Planetarum effectus et eorum in signis zodiaci), 1585. Private Collection

De lapide philosophorum: Philosopher's Stone. From Alchymia by Andreas Libavius, 1606. Private Collection

De lapide philosophorum: Philosopher's Stone. From Alchymia by Andreas Libavius, 1606. Private Collection

The Alchemical World Landscape, from Opus medico-chymicum by Johann Daniel Mylius, 1618. Private Collection

Azoth, Sive Aureliae Occultae Philosophorum... by Basilius Valentinus, 1613. Creator: Unknown artist
Azoth, Sive Aureliae Occultae Philosophorum... by Basilius Valentinus, 1613. Private Collection

Azoth, Sive Aureliae Occultae Philosophorum... by Basilius Valentinus, 1613. Creator: Unknown artist
Azoth, Sive Aureliae Occultae Philosophorum... by Basilius Valentinus, 1613. Private Collection

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"Unveiling the Mysteries: Exploring the Magnum Opus of Alchemy and Astrology" Step into a world of ancient wisdom and esoteric knowledge as we delve into the enigmatic realm of alchemy and astrology. In this captivating collection, we encounter a diverse array of intriguing figures who have dedicated their lives to unraveling the secrets of the universe. First, we are transported back to 1760, where a German master artist brings Python's Alchemical and Rosicrucian Compendium to life. The intricate illustrations depict the intricate processes involved in transmutation, symbolizing man's quest for spiritual enlightenment. Next, we witness Roger Bacon sending his Magnum Opus to the Pope. This pivotal moment captures both anticipation and trepidation as Bacon entrusts his groundbreaking work to ecclesiastical authority. In Rome on April 14, 1791, Joseph Balsamo finds himself facing the Inquisition. Known as comte de Cagliostro, he stands defiantly before his accusers – an embodiment of alchemical rebellion against societal norms. An alchemist immersed in his laboratory appears next – surrounded by bubbling flasks and mysterious symbols etched onto parchment. His intense focus reflects both dedication and obsession with unlocking nature's hidden truths. A Zodiac Man diagram from Liber Cosmographiae transports us further back in time to 1408 when bloodletting was believed to be influenced by celestial movements. This illustration serves as a reminder that even within scientific pursuits lies remnants of archaic beliefs. Returning once again to Joseph Balsamo (comte de Cagliostro), this time he is depicted creating an Homunculus within his cabinet. A testament to alchemists' pursuit of artificial life forms through arcane rituals - an endeavor shrouded in mystery till this day. The year is now 1882; schools teach alchemy alongside astrology - disciplines intertwined throughout history.