Offered by Antichità Castelbarco
Flemish Mannerist painter Early 17th century
Portrait of the alchemist Geber (Arab alchemist who lived in the 8th century)
Oil on panel 41 x 33 cm In antique frame 51 x 43 cm
The work belongs to a series of three paintings, together with portraits of the alchemists Hermes Trismegistus (link) and Morieno Romano (link).
The painting depicts an alchemist, an ancient figure who has always been shrouded in fascination and mystery due to his perfect blend of science and esotericism, who sought to achieve omniscience, or the highest level of knowledge in all fields of learning.
Among the great goals of alchemy was the search for the elixir of eternal life or the transformation of base metals into gold, a practice that was believed to be achievable through the “philosopher's stone”.
The alchemist, with his secret practices and knowledge, is therefore a figure described as straddling the line between scholar and magician, capable of extraordinary transformations, well represented here by a Mannerist painter, presumably Flemish, active between the 16th and 17th centuries. In our case, it is, in particular, the portrait of Geber (Jabir ibn Hayyan), born in 722 AD, a legendary figure known as the greatest medieval Islamic alchemist and considered the founder of Persian alchemy and modern chemistry, who was credited with transforming it from a practice linked to magic to an empirical one, very similar to modern chemistry.
His figure is juxtaposed here with the white swan, majestic and serene, a symbolic animal in alchemy, as alchemists found in the animal's whiteness and shape both sunlight, synonymous with masculine nature, and moonlight, an image of femininity.
The interaction between the alchemist and the swan is a powerful symbol of balance and harmony between science and nature, while the parchment represents the relentless search for truth and wisdom, a journey that winds through the mysteries of the universe.
Delevery information :
We take care of and organise the transport of the purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers.
We take great care We personally take care of the packaging, to which we devote a great deal of care: each work is carefully packed, first with arti- cle material, then with a custom-made wooden box.
Should you have the desire to see this or other works in person, we would be happy to welcome you to our gallery in Riva del Garda, Viale Giuseppe Canella 18, we are always open by appointment only.
