The Alchymist

The study of alchemy has fascinated people worldwide for centuries. In 1771, the English artist Joseph Wright of Derby completed his painting entitled The Alchymist Discovers Phosphorus, which was later reworked in 1795. In this picture, Wright shows an alchemist accompanied by two young apprentices, observing a flask in which a quantity of urine has been boiled down. The flask bursts into light as the phosphorus ignites spontaneously in air. It has often been suggested that this scene refers to the discovery of phosphorus by the German alchemist, Hennig Brand, in Hamburg in 1669. The setting of Wright's painting has Gothic-style arches, vaults and windows. Some have compared the setting to a medieval church, as if bestowing the alchemist's discovery with religious significance.

“In this picture, Wright recreated a historical event that had taken place a century before his own lifetime. It is important to note that the discovery of phosphorus was, however, accidental. Brand's chief aim, like all alchemists, was to find gold.”

Julian Harrison
Lead Curator

‘You know, the Stone was really not such a wonderful thing. As much money and life as you could want! The two things most human beings would choose above all – the trouble is, humans do have a knack of choosing precisely those things which are worst for them.’

Professor Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

THE ALCHYMIST, IN SEARCH OF THE PHILOSOPHER’S STONE, DISCOVERS PHOSPHORUS, AND PRAYS FOR THE SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION OF HIS OPERATION, AS WAS THE CUSTOM OF THE ANCIENT CHYMICAL ASTROLOGERS BY JOSEPH WRIGHT OF DERBY (1771–95)

Derby Museum and Art Gallery