Alchemist In His Study. David II Teniers Known As The Younger (1610-1690) And Workshop

Beautiful and large old frame in blackened molded wood. Total dimensions: 80 x 90 cm. The frame alone: 54 x 64 cm David Teniers the Younger (Antwerp 1610-Brussels 1690) was a student of Rubens and he painted several paintings on the theme of alchemy, which suggests that this theme was close to his heart, or although alchemists were quite present in his entourage. To our knowledge, there are several versions of our painting in museums and private collections; one of the best-known versions is now kept at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (USA). Note that one detail constantly recurs in each of the works: an open book, and several closed books. Often, the open book is partially obscured by one (or even two) closed books. In traditional religious iconography, the open book represents exoteric teaching (the official one, that which is openly proclaimed), while the closed book symbolizes esoteric teaching (reserved for initiates, closed to the uninformed public). By this detail repeated from painting to painting, it seems that the painter is sending a message. With his gaze focused on his recipe book while he stirs his mixture, the old alchemist is probably trying out yet another potion. While his apprentices get busy. At the time, a popular belief was that the transformation of a simple metal into gold was made possible by adding a little philosopher's stone to this metal. This practice, long reserved for the nobility and philosophers, then became popular among merchants. Although alchemy was a long-controversial practice, the fact remains that it enabled notable discoveries and advances in science and industry. Details teem in this disturbed interior, devoted to a life's work that Teniers illustrates with amusement. The entire workshop is concentrated and only the dog lying in the lower right corner of the composition seems to express, in its heavy attitude, the weariness of a quest that we know to be in vain. David II Teniers known as the Younger (Antwerp 1610 – Brussels 1690). Son and student of David I, influenced by Rubens, he was famous as a genre painter, but also devoted himself to portraiture, landscape and historical painting: “He got his genius from nature, his taste from his father , and its perfection by Rubens. » An artist of genius, several thousand works can be attributed to him, and his virtuosity was immense. Numerous tapestries, both Flemish and French, and large series of engravings revealed his works and spread his influence until the end of the 18th century. In 1637 he married Anna Brueghel, the daughter of the painter Jan Brueghel the Elder (1568-1625). After the death of Peter Paul Rubens in 1640, David Teniers took over the wards of Rubens, Ambrosius and Clara-Eugenia, Anna's youngest brothers and sister. Their possessions – including paintings and drawings by Jan Brueghel the Elder and Pieter Brueghel the Elder – were also entrusted to him. Most of the world's major museums hold entire series of paintings by Teniers; this is the case of the Louvre (around forty), the Ermitage (around thirty), the NG of London and the Prado. A retrospective was dedicated to the artist in 1991 (Antwerp, MRBA). Bears a signature lower right. Very good condition. Sold with detailed invoice & certificate of expertise *Ease of payment on request