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MAGIC AND THE OCCULT
‘Up to the 18th century, alchemy was viewed as a proper scientific discipline, regarded perfectly seriously,’ explains Kay Sutton, Director of Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts at Christie’s in London.
‘Alchemists had two objectives,’ she continues. ‘One was to manufacture the Philosopher’s Stone, a sort of mythical entity — magical, wonderful, and capable of transmuting a base metal into gold. The other aim was to manufacture the elixir that would give you eternal life and cure all ills.’
From Kay Sutton, director of Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts, Christie's (www.christies.com)

Ripley Scroll, England, 1624

Hans Baldung Grien, The Witches, 1510

Albrecht Dürer, Witch Riding on a Goat, 1500

Albrecht Dürer, Melancolia I, 1514

Lucas Cranach the Elder, Alegory of Melancholy, 1528
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