The Alchemist
1663 National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.
About this artwork
An oil on panel painting depicting a solitary alchemist working in a dim, cluttered interior. The composition focuses on the alchemist's intense concentration while manipulating laboratory equipment.
Did you know?
Cornelis Bega was a student of Adriaen van Ostade and was known for his depictions of peasant life and low-life interiors. The subject of the alchemist was popular in Dutch art as both a fascination with proto-science and a cautionary critique of the folly and greed involved in the futile quest to turn lead into gold.
On your wall. Unlock the 4K download and keep this piece in your Vault — forever.
Know the artwork. Knowing its title and artist turns a beautiful image into a story worth sharing — with a museum label:
The Alchemist
Cornelis Bega, 1663
