Chymia. Science and Nature in Medieval and Early Modern Europe (1450-1750)

In September 2008, an international conference on the history of alchemy was held at El Escorial, close to the ancient location of the distilling houses operating under royal patronage during the second half of the 16th century. The present book consists of a selection of the papers presented then, shedding light on little-studied medieval and early modern texts, important alchemical doctrines such as medieval corpuscularianism, early modern spiritus mundi or the function of salt within chymical principles, and discussing such prominent figures as Paracelsus, Isaac Hollandus, Michael Sendivogius, Fontenelle or G. E. Stahl. Last but not least, the book offers new insights on the most recent history of Spanish alchemy. TABLE OF CONTENTS 6 PROLOGUE 8 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 9 QUESTIONS OF METHODOLOGY ABOUT PSEUDO-AVICENNA’S DE ANIMA IN ARTE ALCHEMIAE 10 THE JEWS AND ALCHEMY 28 THE DISPUTATIO SCOTI FALSELY ATTRIBUTED TO MICHAEL SCOT (14TH CENTURY) 39 LA THÉORIE PER MINIMA DANS LES TEXTES ALCHIMIQUES DES XIVE ET XVE SIÈCLES 50 THE TURBA PHILOSOPHORUM AND ITS FRENCH VERSION (15TH C.) 79 PARACELSUS IN PANNONIA 124 MASTERS OF FIRE 147 FOOL’S SILVER 166 BEYOND PATRONAGE 184 THE SINGULARITY OF ALCHEMICAL EXPERIENCE 241 THE WORLD-SPIRIT AND QUINTESSENCE IN THE CHYMICAL PHILOSOPHY OF JOSEPH DU CHESNE 256 THE MAKING OF CHEMICAL MEDICINES IN VALENCIA DURING THE 16TH CENTURY 271 I SALIFY, THEREFORE I CAN SEE AND TOUCH 288 SOME FORGOTTEN FEZ ALCHEMISTS AND THE LOSS OF THE PEÑON DE VÉLEZ DE LA GOMERA IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY 300 ISAAC HOLLANDUS REVISITED 319 NOVATORES OR ALCHEMISTS? 340 FONTENELLE, THE IDEA OF SCIENCE AND THE SPIRIT OF CHEMISTRY 376 “THE GREAT PHILOSOPHICAL WORK” 395 BIBLIOGRAPHY 406 CONTRIBUTORS 470 INDEX 475 In September 2008, An International Conference On The History Of Alchemy Was Held At El Escorial, Close To The Ancient Location Of The Distilling Houses Operating Under Royal Patronage During The Second Half Of The 16th Century. The Present Book Consists Of A Selection Of The Papers Presented Then, Shedding Light On Little-studied Medieval And Early Modern Texts, Important Alchemical Doctrines Such As Medieval Corpuscularianism, Early Modern Spiritus Mundi Or The Function Of Salt Within Chymical Principles, And Discussing Such Prominent Figures As Paracelsus, Isaac Hollandus, Michael Sendivogius, Fontenelle Or G. E. Stahl. Edited By Miguel López Pérez, Didier Kahn And Mar Rey Bueno. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [397]-460) And Index.