Peluso, 'The Alchemist'

[Paul Ferguson]

Francesco Peluso (Naples 1836 - 1916), 'The Alchemist', Baillieu Collection, Univ of Melbourne.



   

[Adam McLean]

Thanks for posting this. I have not seen this painting before.

[Paul Ferguson]

I wonder what this scene is meant to signify?

[Paul Ferguson]

Something about the artist here:

http://www.altekunst-vienna.com/frontend...html&query=

This painting was purchased by King Vittorio Emanuele.

[Paul Ferguson]

I’m baffled by the Greek inscription on the wall: touto drae kai m.ra. Touto = this, kai = and, but the rest of it doesn’t seem to make sense. Any ideas?

[Paul Ferguson]

Courtesy of Munich art dealer Hempel, a possible interpretation:

"An alchemist fortune-teller reads a young man’s palm"

https://www.hampel-auctions.com/a/France...id=7305&qa=