10-02-2026, 12:53 PM
(This post was last modified: 10-02-2026, 12:54 PM by Paul Ferguson.)
Folio 115r is part of the illustrative section containing the Figures du Testamentum (fols. 113v–128r). It features one of the most famous alchemical illustrations of the Renaissance: The Spera Octo Figurarum de Lapide Philosophico (The Sphere of Eight Figures of the Philosopher's Stone). [1, 2]
What is on the Folio?
The page is a highly complex, non-decorative alchemical diagram illuminating the core framework of the Philosopher's Stone. It is attributed to the illuminator Girolamo da Cremona (c. 1470) and contains: [1]
* The Central Tree: A philosophical tree growing in the center.
* The Dragon: Positioned at the bottom, symbolizing the Mercurius Philosophorum (Philosophical Mercury).
* Cosmological Entities: Inscribed representations of the 7 planets, the 4 elements, a King, an Alchemist, and 6 human faces. [1]
[1] [https://www.instagram.com](https://www.instagram.com/p/Dd_BoBbOI17/)
[2] [https://enc.hal.science](https://enc.hal.science/hal-05118124v1/document)
[3] [https://archive.org](https://archive.org/details/b.-r.-52)
[4] [https://www.ub.edu](https://www.ub.edu/llulldb/bibliografia/171)
Here is the Spera, on page 254/551
Thanks to https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=955026364349890&set=gm.2085249988777500&idorvanity=614584285844085
What is on the Folio?
The page is a highly complex, non-decorative alchemical diagram illuminating the core framework of the Philosopher's Stone. It is attributed to the illuminator Girolamo da Cremona (c. 1470) and contains: [1]
* The Central Tree: A philosophical tree growing in the center.
* The Dragon: Positioned at the bottom, symbolizing the Mercurius Philosophorum (Philosophical Mercury).
* Cosmological Entities: Inscribed representations of the 7 planets, the 4 elements, a King, an Alchemist, and 6 human faces. [1]
[1] [https://www.instagram.com](https://www.instagram.com/p/Dd_BoBbOI17/)
[2] [https://enc.hal.science](https://enc.hal.science/hal-05118124v1/document)
[3] [https://archive.org](https://archive.org/details/b.-r.-52)
[4] [https://www.ub.edu](https://www.ub.edu/llulldb/bibliografia/171)
Here is the Spera, on page 254/551
Thanks to https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=955026364349890&set=gm.2085249988777500&idorvanity=614584285844085