01-07-2021, 10:23 PM
I think if alchemy is involved, it must be considered as
1) part of a lager medical/scientific compendium
2) a specifically medieval type of alchemy (my impression is that not all proponents of alchemy-VM theories care much about the chronology)
3) somewhat "deformed" like everything in the VM seems
The first point is not too important, probably time will tell which parts of the VM relate to alchemy. And it's very good that you are now looking at one of the most important figures regarding medieval alchemy (I knew nothing about this subject before Barbara Curtis mentioned it).
What are you thinking about the third point though? Why do some of these images feel "alchemical" - a point I certainly agree with - while at the same time apparently twisting the subject matter? And if it is an allegory, then what of?
1) part of a lager medical/scientific compendium
2) a specifically medieval type of alchemy (my impression is that not all proponents of alchemy-VM theories care much about the chronology)
3) somewhat "deformed" like everything in the VM seems
The first point is not too important, probably time will tell which parts of the VM relate to alchemy. And it's very good that you are now looking at one of the most important figures regarding medieval alchemy (I knew nothing about this subject before Barbara Curtis mentioned it).
What are you thinking about the third point though? Why do some of these images feel "alchemical" - a point I certainly agree with - while at the same time apparently twisting the subject matter? And if it is an allegory, then what of?