Sixteenth Century Floor
Rosarium philosophorum Room
Rosarium manuscripts Side Gallery
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There are many manuscript versions of the Rosarium philosophorum some with line drawings and others with coloured images. All appear to have been made later than the printed version. There is are earlier manuscripts with drawings similar to some of the Rosarium images. This is investigated in the possible sources for the Rosarium images side gallery.

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St Gallen manuscript, written in the 17th century.


This version seems to be a straightforward copy into coloured drawings of the original woodcut originals. It does not introduce any substantial variations in the symbolism.

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Prague manuscript.


This version has line drawings. It has a number ofsubstantial variations in the symbolism. For example, the first image of the fountain. It also lacks the Green Lion image.

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Bibliotheque nationale manuscript.


This is a 16th century manuscript with coloured drawings. It has many variations over the original woodcuts. The Prague manuscript, which is later, seems to be a copy of this with some additioal variations in the emblems.

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Ferguson manuscript 210.


This is an 18th century manuscript with coloured drawings. It follows closely the original woodcuts and does not introduce any substantial variations in the symbolism.

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