An Alchemist
Thomas Wyck circa 1673
Oil on canvas
1270 x 1016 mm
I finally visited my local NT property, Ham House having lived up the road for 3 years. What a delight - full of alchemical references and objects. This painting in the library, is by the Dutch artist Thomas Wyck (1616-1677), it depicts an alchemist in his laboritorium. He sits on a raised dias surrounded by books, stills, retorts and other equipment. His male assistant stands to the left, carrying a large bottle. A pair of women can be seen through the archway in the background - I'm not sure what they are up to, but they actually occupy the very centre of the picture. Light streams in through the window on the left, illuminating not the alchemist but his books.
The Bathroom, Ham House.
The bathroom was added in the basement by Elizabeth Tollemache who was the second female owner of Ham House; it was rare for people to bathe in the seventeenth century apparently. It was also rare for women to inherit property - the family was of Scottish origin and inheritance down the female line was allowed in Scottish Law.
The Seventh Parable, The SPLENDOUR SOLIS (Splendour of the Sun)
Extract from Plate X1.
An alchemical treatise (1532-1535) allegedly written by Salomon Trismsin the teacher of Paracelsus. The set of 22 ornate images show the symbolic process of the alchemical death and rebirth of the king, and incorporates seven flasks, each one associated with one of the planets. The title of this plate is "Boiling the body in the vessel"... mmm more research required.
Stille
Earthenware stille for making flavoured waters and cordials from fruits and herbs grown in the kitchen garden. It sits on a tile-topped stove.
Kitchen Utensils
Brass, copper, pewter, forged iron.