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

Traditionally, the chief pursuit of alchemists was the search for "the philosopher's stone," which would miraculously transform base metals into gold. The alchemist pictured here, however, accidentally discovered phosphorus, to his own amazement and ...