Historical Alchemical Illustrations

Antique illustrations of alchemical laboratories and instruments from the 16th to 18th centuries, depicting early scientific practices.

Equine anatomical Illustration from 'Anatomia del cavallo, infermità, et suoi rimedii'. Anatomy of a horse); (1618). by Carlo Ruini, (1530-1598)

Alchemical laboratory showing various forms of furnace and vessels. From Elias Ashmole 'Theatrum Chemicum Britannicum' London 1652.

Alchemical laboratory showing various forms of furnace and vessels, 1652. Artist: Unknown

M. Vitruvius per Iocundum solito castigatior factus cum figuris et tabula ut iam legi et intelligi possit 1511 Written by Marcus Pollio Vitruvius Italian. M. Vitruvius per Iocundum solito castigatior factus cum figuris et tabula ut iam legi et intelligi possit 366277

Physical Instruments, Nicolaas van Frankendaal, 1759 print Display of instruments and models for physical research, with numbers and letters. Print in the middle of it marked: Tom. I.4me Leçon. Pl. 2. Amsterdam paper etching physics (+ tools, instruments; laboratory equipment ~ scientific research)

Spanish tarantulas and their eggs : above is T Hembra (female), below it T Macho (male), together with Obarios (ovaries) and a Capullo (coccoon) housing 3 ovaries. Date: 1787

Lithotomia Douglaffiana

The stomach. Engraving, 1686, the third and fourth figures after G. de Lairesse, 1685.

Schrader, embryology

Equine anatomical Illustration from 'Anatomia del cavallo, infermità, et suoi rimedii'. Anatomy of a horse); (1618). by Carlo Ruini, (1530-1598)

Drifting furnace in operation, historical account from Georgius Agricola, De re metallica libri XII, Mining and metallurgy, metallurgy, published 1556

Fig. CII. Antlia duplex, 1662., 1662., Coloniæ Agrippinæ. Publisher, Sumptibus Pauli Principis, Technempolæi Noribergici. The illustration focuses on mechanical engineering, showcasing machinery, mills and mill-work, fountains, and water pumps, presented as engravings

Cross-section of a mine, showing shaft and galleries at two different levels. In the top left of the picture is prospecting for metals using divining rods (dowsing). From 'De re metallica', by Agricola, pseudonym of Georg Bauer (Basle, 1556). Woodcut.

Large metal quadrant used by Brahe at Hven. From his 'Astronomiae instaurate mechanica', 1602.

Plate of the neck, trachea and muscles of a male. From Giulio Cesare Casseri's "De Vocis Auditusque Organis Historia Anatomia". Giulio Cesare Casseri (1552-1616) an Italian anatomist. Dated 17th century

Print marked at top right: fol. 207, Anatomical picture VIII, print maker: Jan Luyken, publisher: Jan Claesz ten Hoorn, Amsterdam, 1680 - 1688, paper, etching, h 138 mm × w 85 mm

medicine treatment bloodletting venesection and zodiac coloured woodcut calendar circa 1500 private collection,

Comet, 1618; Eigentliche Verzeichnus Dieses im JAHR 1618. Erschinenzenden, Weller Lauuff Oder Bewegung, Durch that Zeichen Des 8. Hatmels Alhie VOR Augen Verwirt wirt; Series 11: Varia foreign events, 1571-1631. Constellations of the northern sky and the comet seen above Cologne, December 1618. In the starry sky the positions of the comet between 6 and 28 December. At the bottom of a separate representation of the comet. With captions of 1 and 3 rules in German. Leged by the bottom right: 393. The print is part of an album.

An astronomer and astrologer in his study, plotting points on a globe with a pair of dividers. Woodcut by J. Amman, 1568.

Austral planisphere, engraving from I dieci libri d'architettura secondo i precetti di Vitruvio, by Giovanni Antonio Rusconi, published by Nicolini, 1660, Venice.

Illustration for 'The Labor of Mars' by Allain Manesson Mallet. Two men who work under the leadership of a third in a coastal landscape with the deployment of a fortress, fortress or reinforcement (pentagon). In the top right of the number 62 (= the number of the page in the book to which the illustration is placed).

Anatomical drawing by Jehan Cousin ('le jeune,' or 'the younger') in Livre de pourtraiture. (Paris, 1608).

Illustration for 'The Labor of Mars' by Allain Manesson Mallet. Ground plan for a fortress, fort or reinforcement (Zevenhoek). Bye and two fighting soldiers. In the top right of the number 4 (= the number of the page in the book to which the illustration is placed).

Ptolomy's Systems explained by Johann Müller, called Regiomontanus (right). Engraving, 1543.

Instruments of torture suspended from the cross, Historical, digitally restored reproduction from a 19th century original

A copper engraving by Hendrick Goltzius from 1589 illustrating the creation of the cosmos, depicting celestial figures and cosmic elements.

Illustration for 'The Labor of Mars' by Allain Manesson Mallet. Ground plan for a fortress, fortress or reinforcement (hexagon). Byond this a number of soldiers, whose on horseback. In the top right of the number 142 (= the number of the page in the book to which the illustration is placed).

Three devices for ventilating mines with bellows. In the centre the horse turns the wheel and cams, I,I, work the bellows. At the top, a horse turns a crown wheel which engages with a lantern on the camshaft and the cams engage with tappets to work the bellows. At the bottom, a man works the bellows by foot. From 'De re metallica', by Agricola, pseudonym of Georg Bauer (Basle, 1556). Woodcut.

Reconstruction of a Roman war engine for firing a salvo of arrows, sometimes referred to as a Scorpion. From Poliorceticon sive de machinis tormentis telis by Justus Lipsius (Joost Lips) (Antwerp, 1605). Engraving.

Cross-section of a mine, showing shaft and galleries at two different levels. In the top left of the picture is prospecting for metals using divining rods (dowsing). From De re metallica, by Agricola, pseudonym of Georg Bauer (Basle, 1556). Woodcut.

Anatomical illustration from 'De corporis humani fabrica libri septem' (Basel: Johannes Oporinus, 1543); By Andreas Vesalius (1514-1564),

Studies of plants (e.g. the rose flower, a pear half), insects (e.g. rhinoceros beetle, fly) and a naked snail and snail shell; chart 1 from part I of the cycle.. Hoefnagel, Jacob (1575-ca 1630), graphic artist, Hoefnagel, Joris (1542-1601), draughtsman, cartoonist

Illustration for 'The Labor of Mars' by Allain Manesson Mallet. Five mathematical figures (corner calculations). Below that a rider, a man with a halberd and a calming couple. In the top right of the number 112 (= the number of the page in the book to which the illustration is placed).

Reproduction of a Freemason-Rosicrucian compass 1779 From the book The Freemason by Eugen Lennhoff published 1932

Adam als wetenschapper; Vignet met allegorie op de natuurwetenschappen.In a landscape with different trees and animals, a half naked man stands with a measuring instrument in his hand. There are an astrolabium and other instruments behind him.

ARTE DE NAVEGAR - 1545 - LA ESTRELLA DEL NORTE O ESTRELLA POLAR - FOL LXXI - R3405. Author: PEDRO DE MEDINA (1493-1567). Location: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL-COLECCION. MADRID. SPAIN.

Physical experiment. A man performs a physics experiment. The view of this is equipped with numbers and letters. Print at the top right labeled: PL. 4.

Insects, plants and fruits around a pronkerwt; Insects, flowers and fruits; Archetypa Studiaque Patris Georgii Hoefnagelii. Print from a series of 48 prints, divided into four separate parts of each twelve prints. At the bottom right state: part 3. Top and bottom of a text in Latin.

Revolving altitude instrument used by Brahe at his observatory at Stellaeburgum. From his 'Astronomiae instaurate mechanica', 1602.

Mesmer's octagonal baquet, showing how eight patients could sit round it and be cured of 8 different ailments simultaneously, from hydropsis to the stone. Date: 1785

Illustration for 'The Labor of Mars' by Allain Manesson Mallet. Mathematical figure (pentagon). Including soldiers who pay their soldier. In the top right of the number 21 (= the number of the page in the book to which the illustration is placed).

Print from a series of 48 prints, divided into four separate parts of twelve prints each. Stated at lower right: part 1. At top and bottom a text in Latin, Animals, plants and fruits around a snail Insects, flowers and fruits (series title) Archetypa studiaque patris GeorgiI HoefnageliI (series title), print maker: Jacob Hoefnagel, Joris Hoefnagel, publisher: Christoph Weigel, (possibly), print maker: Frankfurt, publisher: Neurenberg, 1592 and/or 1693 - 1726, paper, engraving, h 155 mm × w 216 mm

Galvanometer. Multiplier.

Seventeen crusraceans, including the Commmon Crab, the Cleanser Crab and the Rough Crab. Wood engraving by Recerd.

Illustration for 'The Labor of Mars' by Allain Manesson Mallet. Ground plan for part of a fortress, fort or reinforcement. Belonging there are a few guns near a tower. In the top right of the number 64 (= the number of the page in the book to which the illustration is placed).

Movement of the arm, fig. 6, Jan Luyken, 1683 print Print at the top right marked: page: 87. Amsterdam paper etching physiology and anatomy

astononoy astronomers theologican and astronomer disputing woodcut ""Concordantiae astronomiae cum theologia necnon historicae veritatis narratione"" by Pierre d' Ailly Augsburg 1490,

Allegory on nature and human nature (microcosm); Figurata Meditatio Microcosmi. Allegorical representation of nature and human nature (Microcosmos). Schematic representation with a fountain of nature and four fountains of man.

'Diving bell invented by Edmond Halley (1656-1743) being used in salvage operation. Barrel, C, reservoir of air connected by tube to bell. Diver, F, wears helmet connected to bell by tube. Engraving 1782.'

Woodcut engraving depicting gunners calculating the elevation of a piece of artillery using a clinometer and a quadrant marked with shadow-scales. Dated 16th century

Conradi, Gesneri, medici, Tigurini, Historiae, animalium, liber, IV, Francofurti, In, Bibliopolio, Andreae, Cambieri, anno, MDCIIII, 1604, fishes, mollusks, prelinnean works, zoology, monsters, real, Halloween, leviathan, page, frights, An elaborate illustration titled 'De Ceti diversis' from a scholarly work, featuring intricate depictions of marine creatures. The top section showcases a fantastical sea monster with a serpentine body and flowing fins, surrounded by ornate embellishments. Below it, a detailed rendering of a rhinoceros fish is presented with careful attention to scale texture and form. The lower section captures a unique marine mammal, likely a type of sea cow, depicted in a natural setting with flowing lines and shading that enhance its form. Accompanying the images are Latin descriptions, detailing the characteristics of each creature, immersing the viewer in the scientific exploration of the oceanic fauna of the period.

Surveying, from Levinus Hulsius Instrumentorum Mechanicorum, Frankfurt-am-Main, 1605. Artist: Levinus Hulsius

Studies of plants (e.g. blooming iris), insects (moth), a mouse. Chart 2 of part IV of the cycle.. Hoefnagel, Jacob (1575-ca 1630), graphic artist, Hoefnagel, Joris (1542-1601), draughtsman, cartoonist

A woodcut engraving depicting a blood-letting man, showing points of blood-letting connected with signs of the Zodiac. Dated 16th century

Woodblock engraving depicting a gunner firing a cannon whose elevation had been calculated using a chequered ruler fitted with two plumb-bobs. The path of a projectile is shown according to Aristotelian physics. Since he believed that no body could undertake more than one motion at a time, the path had to consist of two separate motions in a straight line. Dated 16th century

Experiment on a dog.

Anatomical Image XX, Jan Luyken, 1680 - 1688 print Print at the top right numbered: 375. Amsterdam paper etching anatomical models (usually series of five figures). biology

ASTROLABIO 1581. Author: RODRIGO ZAMORANO (1542-1620). Location: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL-COLECCION. MADRID. SPAIN.

Anatomy, book and medical drawing on paper in antique, vintage or old science textbook with knowledge. Archive, illustration and diagram on parchment with notes, information and study of human body

An astronomer, probably supposed to be Ptolemy of Alexandria (active 150 AD) observing the Moon and stars using a quadrant. Woodcut from 'Del Misuarar' by Silvio Belli (Venice, 1570).

ARTE DE NAVEGAR - 1545 - LA LUNA Y LOS PLEAMARES - F CXCI - R3405. Author: PEDRO DE MEDINA (1493-1567). Location: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL-COLECCION. MADRID. SPAIN.

A woodblock engraving depicting a gunner firing a cannon whose elevation has been calculated using a chequered rule fitted with two plum-bobs. The path of a projectile is shown according to Aristotelian physics. Since he believed that nobody could undertake more than one motion at a time, the path had to consist of two separate motions in a straight line. Dated 16th century

Anatomical drawing by Jehan Cousin ('le jeune,' or 'the younger') in Livre de pourtraiture. (Paris, 1608).

Searching for groundwater using steam released from the ground before dawn, engraving from I dieci libri d'architettura secondo i precetti di Vitruvio, by Giovanni Antonio Rusconi, published by Nicolini, 1660, Venice.

Print marked top right: fol: 216., Skeleton of an ostrich Struys Vogel , print maker: Jan Luyken, (mentioned on object), Cornelis van Dyk, (mentioned on object), publisher: Jan Claesz ten Hoorn, Amsterdam, 1680, paper, etching, h 138 mm × w 84 mm

Three images to clarify the operation of the eye, marked I-III, Jan Luyken, 1682 print Amsterdam paper etching / letterpress printing eyes

Methods of surveying (right) and time keeping (left). On the left are various different kinds of sundials and a clock with a single arm. On the right a survey is being made of the height of the tower, using quadrants and, on the far right, a cross staff.

Studies of plants (e.g. pumpkin), insects (grasshopper), a shell and a toad; chart 10 of part IV of the cycle.. Hoefnagel, Jacob (1575-ca 1630), graphic artist, Hoefnagel, Joris (1542-1601), draughtsman, cartoonist

Allegory of the tables of the Republican Constitution. French Revolution. Louis-Jean Allais (1762-1833). Allegory of the tables of the Republican Constitution. French Revolution. Engraving to dotted colored. Carnavalet Museum, History of Paris.

Edificij et machine, Martini, Francesco di Giorgio, 1439-1501, brown ink and wash, ca. 1475-ca. 1480, The volume comprises 103 drawings by Francesco di Giorgio Martini and his assistants, featuring machines and devices for lifting columns and other heavy weights, schemes for transporting water, and mechanisms for milling and moving boats. There are also a few drawings showing how people could walk or float on water standing on inflatable containers and using an oar to propel themselves.

Six astronomers, Joseph Mulder, after Gerard Hoet (I), 1692 print From left to right the astronomers Galileo Galilei, Johannes Hevelius, Tycho Brahe, Nicolaas Copernicus and Claudius Ptolemeüs around the sitting Hipparchus, the classic founder of astronomy. The astronomers keep viewers and other astronomical instruments in their hands. In the sky the sun, moon and stars. print maker: Amsterdampublisher: Utrecht paper engraving / etching astronomical instruments. sun as celestial body. moon as celestial body

Dialogvs de systemate mvndi. ... , Added title page. Galilei, Galileo, 1564-1642. Title pages. 1663. Science, Industry and Business Library: General Collection. Astronomy, Solar system, Copernicus, Nicolaus, 1473-1543, Aristotle, Ptolemy, active 2nd century

Astronomer. Persian astronomer Messahalah, (8th CE). Woodcut by A. Durer. Title page: Messahalah's "De scientia motus orbis", 1504. Author: ALBRECHT DURER.

Print at the top right labeled: Pag: 87.

Illustration for 'The Labor of Mars' by Allain Manesson Mallet. Ground plan for a fortress, fortress or reinforcement (hexagon). Byond this a face of the Seine in Paris. In the top left corner the number 3 (= the number of the page in the book to which the illustration is placed).

Anatomical image XIII, Jan Luyken, 1680 - 1688 print Print at the top right numbered: 135. Amsterdam paper etching anatomical models (usually series of five figures). biology

Comet of 1546 (Halley). At this appearance the comet was excommunicated by Pope Calixtus III. From Conrad Lycosthenes 'Prodigioum ac ostentorum chronicon' Basle 1557. Woodcut

Studies of plants, insects (e.g. butterflies), a crab; chart 8 of part III of the cycle.. Hoefnagel, Jacob (1575-ca 1630), graphic artist, Hoefnagel, Joris (1542-1601), draughtsman, cartoonist

Engraving depicting the Aristotelian concept of the path of projectile. Since he believed no body could undertake more than one motion at a time, the path had to consist of two separate motions in a straight line. Aristotle (384 BC-322 BC) an ancient Greek philosopher and scientist. Dated 16th Century

Engraving depicting the Aristotelian concept of the path of projectile. Since he believed no body could undertake more than one motion at a time, the path had to consist of two separate motions in a straight line. Aristotle (384 BC-322 BC) an ancient Greek philosopher and scientist. Dated 16th Century

Plough used to deepen navigable rivers and canals. Man in boat exerted pressure on lever B, in order to keep plough on canal bed. From 'Architecture Hydraulique' Bernard Forest de Belidor (Paris, 1737). Copperplate engraving

botany herbs garlic (Allium sativum) woodcut page from ""Hortus sanitatis"" printed by Johannes Pruess Strasbourg circa 1499,

Antique open anatomy book Anatomia Corporum Humanorum Centum et Viginti Tabulis by William Cowper, 17th century English surgeon and anatomist

Description of the brain and its nerves

Naval odometer for measuring distances at sea, it used a paddle wheel set in motion by water, engraving from Il theatro de gl'instrumenti e machine (The theatre of instruments and machines), Figure 57, by Jacques Besson, 1582, Lyon.

Page 318, Rervm medicarvm Novae Hispaniae thesavrvs sev Plantarvm animalivm mineralivm mexicanorvm historia, Hernández, Francisco, 1517-1587, Letterpress, woodcut, 1651

N. Venette "Generation de l'homme", 1696; figure

Measuring the altitude of the sun with ring dials. From Peter Apian 'Cosmographia', Antwerp, 1539

A woman personifying astronomy. Engraving by J. Caldwall after W. Collins after R. Willett.

medicine treatment inhalation tent for the treatment of respiratory diseases woodcut coloured from ""Destillierbuch"" by Hieronymus Brunschwig Strasbourg Germany 1512 private collection,

MANUSCRIPT GREAVES 27- MECHANICAL ARTILUGES- YEAR 1204/06 - F 84V. Author: IBN AL-RAZZAZ JAZARI. Location: BIBLIOTECA BODLEYANA. OXFORD. ENGLAND.

Cross section of the head, by Vesalius.

Astrology: signs of the zodiac. Coloured engraving.

ASTRONOMICUM CAESAREUM 1540. TABLE TO MEASURE THE MOON. BOOK ASTRONOMY 16th CENTURY. Author: PEDRO APIANO (1495-1552). Location: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL-COLECCION. MADRID. SPAIN.

Human eye with a deviation. .

Studies of plants (e.g. walnut), insects, scorpion and a shell; chart 7 of part II of the cycle.. Hoefnagel, Jacob (1575-ca 1630), graphic artist, Hoefnagel, Joris (1542-1601), draughtsman, cartoonist

CENTAURUS the Centaur Date: 1681

Antique medical book, sketch and page of anatomy, intestines drawing or reference textbook for organ explanation. Latin language, journal and digestive system diagram for healthcare info or medicine

Engraving depicting Hevelius' comet in 1665. Discovered by Johannes Hevelius (1611-1687) an astronomer and mayor of Danzig. Dated 17th century

Human brain, illustration from De humani corporis fabrica (On the fabric of the human body), 1542-1543, by Andreas Vesalius (1514-1564).

anatomical illustration from 'Antropologium de hominis dignitate, natura et proprietatibus, de elementis, partibus et membris humani corporis' (Leipzig: 1501) by Magnus Hundt

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