Music from 'Atalanta fugiens' emblem 12

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 12
The Stone that Saturn vomited up affer having devoured it in place of his son Jupiter, has been placed on the Helicon as a souvenir for the mortals.

Epigram 12
You want to know the reason why so many poets sing of the Helicon,
And say that everybody must try to reach the top of it?
At its summit a Stone has been placed as a souvenir,
The Stone that was devoured and spit our by Jupiter's father in his stead.
If you take these words at their face value, you are out of your senses,
For this Stone of Saturn is Chemical.

Alchemical imagery

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

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