One of the most sumptuous and beautiful of all illuminated alchemical texts, Splendor Solis was published in various versions throughout the German states in the 16th Century. Attributed to Salomon Trismosin, a legendary figure who acquired the Philosopher’s Stone and was allegedly Paracelsus’s teacher, Splendor contains 22 (the same number as the Major Arcana of the Tarot) gorgeous, mystifying images with elaborate decorative borders reminiscent of medieval Book of Hours. As with all alchemical treatises the text is full of dense allegorical references to the Solar King and Lunar Queen, death and re-birth, the black and the inner suns, planets and tinctures.
Very thought-provoking. I adore alchemical art.
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Thank you. I also adore alchemical art and I occasionally (actually more than occasionally) post on occult art and themes.
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Many thanks for this work of yours, as far as I am concerned nothing can be more interesting 🙂
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Thank you you are too kind. Hopefully I have my occasion interesting moments.
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So colorful and beautiful. And full of interesting detail. And this is just one of several versions? It must be priceless!
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This is one in Berlin, there are about twenty surviving manuscripts. It is incredibly beautiful. Glad you enjoyed.
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Very much.
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Thank-you Mr. Cake the paintings are exquisite and the timing on point for trying to drag ourselves through to the other side of what has been an emotional wringer of Pisces Mercury retrograde!
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There are exquisite and absolutely. Let’s break on though to the other side!
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Without a doubt among the most lovely and best-known alchemical images. Stunningly majestic and intricate, overwhelmingly beautiful. A lovely presentation, thank you Mr. Cake.
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Thank you Miss Heart. I am fascinated by alchemical illustrations, truly the past is a foreign country, they did things differently back then. Did they seem as strange to their contemporaries? The quality and the colours are exquisite.
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Such strange and wondrous imagery, it would be interesting to know how they were originally perceived by their contemporaries.
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The past really is a foreign country, we can only wonder. But that is an excellent imaginative enterprise.
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Indeed!
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Wow, these are gorgeous! I had never seen them before. I’d love to read the manuscripts. So many meanings tied up in them!
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Thank you Christine… the text is baffling with lots of borrowings from previous treatise (but that was common back then) and it is meant for free association more than comprehension. Interesting though
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Ah, so the images speak to us. Definitely true!
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They do indeed. I will be posting more about alchemical art shortly so stay tuned.
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I especially enjoy the warm colours and the sweet sun peeking over earth’s edge.
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The colours are amazing and the sun is the center.
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Amazingly vivid Mr. Cake.
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Thank you I agree. Saturated colours.
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Reblogged this on lampmagician.
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Thank you as always my friend. These are wonderful I just had to share.
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Indeed, and Thank you for the sharing 😊✌🙏
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My pleasure.
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