1
of
1
Art of Alchemy
Series: Wunderkammer
Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.
Check link for latest rating. ( 12 ratings, 4 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still
learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Summary
Read More
Format: Hardback
TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK
Please add to wishlist to be notified when back in stock
Sorry, we're currently out of stock of Art of Alchemy. Please add to your Wishlist and we'll send you an email as soon as it's back in stock.
Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
Latest News
The First Ever NZ Children's Book Week!
We are so excited to celebrate kids reading books with the first NZ Children's Book...
What Lizzy's Family Loved on a Long Weekend Away
We recently went on a family long weekend away to Ohakune, a new spot for...
Why We Still Love Pokémon
Pokémon has changed enormously since I was trading cards at school and playing it on...
Paw Patrol : The Dino Movie Toys Have Arrived!
The new Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie toys have arrived & are ready to ship!
New Releases to add to your TBR (11th August)
There's a new release for everyone this week - here's your TBR roundup! Lizzy shares...
See moreThis book explores how the art of alchemy transformed human creative culture from antiquity to the industrial age, and how its legacy still permeates the world today.
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Description
"Among all the arts, it is the art of alchemy which most closely imitates nature." - Albertus Magnus (teacher of St. Thomas Aquinas), ca. 1250
Alchemists are notorious for attempting to synthesise gold. Their goals, however, were far more ambitious: to transform and bend nature to the will of an industrious human imagination. For scientists, philosophers, and artists alike, alchemy seemed to hold the key to unlocking the secrets of creation.
Alchemists' efforts to discover the way the world is made have had an enduring impact on global artistic practice and expression. Concoctions produced in the world's alchemy labs include inks, dyes, and oil paints; cements and ceramic glazing; dazzling effects in metalwork and glass. These led to modern media which now claim boasting rights as the ultimate chemical mirrors of nature: photography and the liquid crystal displays of the digital world.
Alchemy may well be the most important human invention after the harnessing of fire. It was certainly a direct result, with consequences both inspired and dire. The field spurred on advancements in the visual arts and aids to human health. Ancient Chinese alchemists also unleashed the black magic of gunpowder onto the world of warfare.
Art of Alchemy is the first book to explore how the art of alchemy globally transformed human creative culture from antiquity to the industrial age, and it displays the ways its legacy still permeates the world we make today.
AUTHOR: Since 2002, David Brafman has been the rare books curator at the Getty Research Institute. In 2016-2017, he curated the exhibition The Art of Alchemy. He is coauthor of Insects and Flowers: The Art of Maria Sibylla Merian (Getty, 2008) and L.A. Graffiti Black Book (Getty, 2021), and he is a contributor to Cave Temples of Dunhuang: Buddhist Art on China's Silk Road (Getty, 2016).
SELLING POINTS:
- All there is to know about alchemy, in beautiful pictures and fascinating stories.
- Easy to read, richly illustrated with unique images and prints.
- By David Brafman, Curator of Rare Books at the Getty Research Institute.
- New book in the successful Wunderkammer series.
Featuring 180 colour and 40 black and white illustrations.
Series: Wunderkammer
View all-
Art of Alchemy
"Among all the arts, it is the art of alchemy which most closely imitates nature." - Albertus Magnus (teacher of St. Thomas Aquinas), ca. 1250 Alchemists are notorious for attempting to synthesise gold. Their goals, however, were far more ambitious: to transform and bend nature to the will of an industrious human imagination. For scientists, philosophers, and artists alike, alchemy...HardbackSold Out
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9789401488808
Publisher: Lannoo Publishers
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 28 September 2023
Country: Belgium
Imprint: Lannoo Publishers
Illustration: 40 Illustrations, black and white; 180 Illustrations, color
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 22.0mm
Width: 185.0mm
Height: 245.0mm
Weight: 764g
Pages: 176
About the Author
Since 2002, David Brafman has been the rare books curator at the Getty Research Institute. In 2016-2017 he curated the exhibition The Art of Alchemy. He is coauthor of Insects and Flowers: The Art of Maria Sibylla Merian (Getty, 2008) and L.A. Graffiti Black Book (Getty, 2021) and is a contributor to Cave Temples of Dunhuang: Buddhist Art on China's Silk Road (Getty, 2016).
Also by David Brafman
View all-
LA Graffiti Black Book
This collection of unique works by 151 Los Angeles graffiti and tattoo artists represents an unprecedented collaboration across the city's diverse artistic landscape. Many graffiti artists carry sketchbooks, called black books, and they ask crew members and others whose work they admire to inscribe their books with lettering or drawings. A few years ago, the Getty Research Institute invited artists,...Hardback$7199Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 3-4 weeks
More from Religion & Spirituality
View all-
New Release2027 Witch's Diary - Southern Hemisphere
From the bestselling authors of Spellcasting, which has now sold over 250,000 copies worldwide, comes the essential witchy journal to plan your days, harness magick, and connect with higher powers. Features include: 8" x 6" (8" x 12" open) Beautiful glossy gold gatefold cover Compact size, perfect to carry in your bag and keep on you throughout the day 12-month...Paperback$1999Elsewhere:$2299Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New Release2027 Lunar and Seasonal Diary - Southern Hemisphere
Renowned witch Stacey Demarco helps you get the most out of the moon phases and seasons. This planner includes lunar timings and explanations of the moon phases and their impact on us along with practical magical suggestions to work with the energies of each season.Features include: • 8"" x 6"" planner (8"" x 12"" open) • Spiral binding allows the pages to...Paperback$2999Elsewhere:$3799Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New ReleaseCommunion: Finding My Way Back to Faith
From the bestselling author of Hillbilly Elegy – an intimate account of why Vice President JD Vance strayed from the Christianity of his youth and what led him back to faith. Communion is a spiritual exploration of what it means to be a Christian in all the seasons of life JD Vance has experienced – as a child, a young man,...Paperback$3199Elsewhere:$3699Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
The King Is Coming
Bestselling author John Bevere challenges Christians to take a fresh and honest look at one of the most often misunderstood and avoided truths of the Christian faith—the second coming of Jesus. Through personal testimony, biblical accuracy, and practical guidance, readers will be inspired to live a life of spiritual vigilance as they prepare for the glorious return of our King....Paperback$2999Elsewhere:$3500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
NKJV, Gift and Award Bible, Leather-Look, White, Red Letter, Comfort Print
Commemorate a special accomplishment or event with a gift to be treasured for years to come. The popular and reliable New King James Version with the enhanced readability of Thomas Nelson’s custom NKJV font is now the perfect gift. The NKJV, Gift and Award Bible is a great way to recognise someone for a job well done. This special-occasion Bible...Paperback$1800Elsewhere:$2000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Braiding Sweetgrass
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer is a graceful and illuminating study of the wisdom of the natural world, bringing together the knowledge of modern science with the teachings of Indigenous cultures. At its heart, the book explores the interconnectedness between humans and nature, offering profound insights on how this relationship can foster a deeper ecological consciousness. As a botanist...Paperback$2200Elsewhere:$2600Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Heroes
Heroes by Stephen Fry is an enthralling journey into the heart of ancient Greek mythology, brought to life with Fry's signature wit and intelligence. This dazzling companion volume to the bestselling Mythos recounts the breath-taking exploits of some of the most legendary figures in Greek lore, showcasing the timeless tales of bravery, cunning, and adventure. In Fry's masterful retelling, readers...Paperback$2600Elsewhere:$3000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
The Orthodox Study Bible, Hardcover
The Orthodox Study Bible, Hardcover is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in deepening their understanding of the Scriptures through the lens of ancient Christian traditions. This comprehensive study Bible represents a groundbreaking effort to present the Bible of the early church to the modern world, reflecting the rich heritage and profound spiritual wisdom of Orthodox Christianity, which is the...Hardback$5999Elsewhere:$7000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
KJV Holy Bible: Economy Paperback: Beautiful. Trustworthy. Timeless, Comfort Print: King James Version
The full text of the KJV with extra helps is an excellent Bible for a new Christian or someone interested in learning more about God. The King James Version of the Bible is the bestselling and most-read English translation of all time. This low-cost Bible with extra helps is perfect for churches and ministries looking to distribute God’s Word through...Paperback$900Elsewhere:$1000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Troy
The city of Troy has long been a beacon of legend and myth, and in Stephen Fry's Troy, the timeless story of love and war is brought to life with a vivid blend of wit, insight, and meticulous detail. At its heart is the kidnapping of Helen, a queen whose beauty is so enchanting that her abduction by Paris of...Paperback$2500Elsewhere:$3000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
The Screwtape Letters
A milestone in the history of popular theology, The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis is an iconic classic on spiritual warfare and the power of the devil. This profound and striking narrative unfolds as a series of captivating letters penned by Screwtape, a senior devil in the Infernal Civil Service, to his eager but inexperienced nephew, Wormwood. Wormwood is...Paperback$1900Elsewhere:$2200Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
14% off
The Practice of Not Thinking
Bestselling author and Zen priest Ryunosuke Koike teaches us how to reconnect with our five senses and move towards enlightenment. What would happen if we learnt to look instead of see, listen instead of hear, and feel instead of touch? With remarkable clarity, Ryunosuke Koike shares the ways we can incorporate Zen practice into our daily life, resulting in a...Paperback$1800Elsewhere:$2600Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today
Why buy from us?
Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!
Service & Delivery
Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.
Auckland Bookstore
We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.
Our Gifting Service
Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.
