Music from 'Atalanta fugiens' emblem 3
Michael Maier's alchemical emblem book Atalanta fugiens was first published in Latin in 1617. It was a most amazing book as it incorporated 50 emblems with a motto, an epigram and a discourse, but extended the concept of an emblem book by incorporating 50 pieces of music the 'fugues' or canons. In this sense it was an early example of multimedia.
Back to alchemical music page.
Atalanta Fugiens
Emblem 3
Go to the woman who washes the sheets and do as she does.
Epigram 3
Let not he who loves scrutinizing secret dogmas
Neglect to take as an example everything that can help him;
Don't you see how a woman is accustomed to cleaning dirty laundry
By pouring hot water over it?
Follow her example, so that you will not fail in your art
For the water washes the precipitation of the black body away.
Graphic signs for
substances and processes
Images of alchemical apparatus, from Greek, Arabic and European sources.
Alchemical emblematic
imagery from books and
manuscripts
Paintings on alchemical themes
Other material:
Enochian, Rosicrucian or Elemental Chess
Alchemical music [from Atalanta fugiens
Study Courses
Alchemical, astrological and
emblematic art prints
Alchemy and art
Art books Series
Study course on Bosch's
Garden of Earthly Delights
New Hieronymus Bosch Website