Alchemist In His Study. 17th Century

School of David Teniers the Younger. Flemish work from the end of the XVIIᵉ century

Oil on copper
Presented in a fine period frame of carved, blackened wood, interspersed with friezes with gilded motifs.The profile is inverted.Total dimensions: 44 x 54 cm. The copper alone: 30 x 40 cm.

This remarkably fine painting depicts an alchemist absorbed in his research, surrounded by retorts, alembics, flasks and an hourglass in the cluttered atmosphere of his laboratory. Following in the footsteps of David Teniers the Younger, the artist excels in depicting the daily life of Flemish Golden Age scholars and craftsmen, blending realistic observation with discreet humor.

The composition is skilfully balanced: in the foreground, the master, a patriarchal figure with a silver beard, leafs through a treatise while overseeing his experiments; in the background, his assistant tends the furnace fire. The copper utensils and the red of the pottery contrast with the silvery blues and grays of his clothing, creating a warm, refined harmony.

Painted on copper, this work retains an exceptional luminosity and precision, characteristic of Flemish workshops of the late XVIIᵉ century. It follows in the tradition of scholarly interior scenes, where the alchemist symbolizes the quest for knowledge and the passage from magic to science.

Very good condition. Sold with a certificate of authenticity