| The Alchemist Discovering Phosphorus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Artist | Joseph Wright of Derby |
| Year | 1771 |
| Dimensions | 127 cm × 101.6 cm (50 in × 40.0 in) |
| Location | Derby Museum and Art Gallery, Derby |
The Alchemist Discovering Phosphorus is a painting by Joseph Wright of Derby originally completed in 1771 then reworked in 1795.[1] The full title of the painting is The Alchymist, in Search of the Philosopher's Stone, Discovers Phosphorus, and prays for the successful Conclusion of his operation, as was the custom of the Ancient Chymical Astrologers. It has been suggested that The Alchymist refers to the discovery of phosphorus by the Hamburg alchemist Hennig Brand in 1669.[2] This story was often printed in popular chemical books in Wright's lifetime, and was widely known.
- ^ Vertesi, Janet. "Light and Enlightenment in Joseph Wright of Derby's The Alchymist". ReoCities. Archived from the original on 4 October 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2011.
- ^ "The Alchymist in Search of the Philosopher's Stone (Exhibited 1771)". Revolutionary Players. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2011.