The golden game : alchemical engravings of the seventeenth century : with 533 illustrations

This book is a true treasure for those who are working with alchemical emblems. Yes, there are not many explanations of the emblems, but then again the purpose of working with the alchemical emblems is to stimulate the emergence of the information coming from one's deeper wisdom, which is facilitated by contemplating and meditating upon the emblems. Adam McLean has a number of courses which can assist those who don't know how to start working with emblems. They are excellent. Alchemy, its mysteries, and the quest for the Philosopher's Stone have been a strand in the development of European culture from antiquity onwards. By the seventeenth century the complex pictorial language of alchemical symbols had reached a high point of elaboration and beauty. With the spread of printing, the whole fantastic iconography flowered as never before. This magnificent book presents a selection of the finest alchemical engravings, brought together for the first time. The best engravers of the age--the De Bry family, Merian, De Hooghe, and others--worked to interpret the haunting emblems of Lambsprinck and Michael Maier, the profundities of the wordless Mutus Liber , or the Christian mysticism of Jacob Bohme. In his introduction and commentaries, the author investigates the origins of this visual tradition, interprets the symbols, and provides information on authors, publishers, patrons, and engravers. This text presents a selection of alchemical illustrations reproduced from originals contained in works from the shelves of research libraries around the world. By the 17th century, the complex pictorial language of symbols which encoded the theories had reached a highpoint of elaboration. Stanislas Klossowski De Rola. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 318) And Index.