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Abstract
Converting polychrome illustrations in manuscripts into a woodcut format was a challenge for the pioneers of early alchemical prints, and various strategies were developed to address these issues, which encompassed both technical and content matters. An examination of the picture programs of the early sixteenth-century alchemical prints from Basel held in the Bibliotheca Philosophica Hermetica reveals various editing and printing strategies. Affected are technical representations like ovens and other devices with a long tradition, as well as series of alchemical allegories. Some of the series had a long reception including reprints in the 18th century, while others have fallen almost into oblivion – not least because woodcuts were replaced by copperplate engravings with new design possibilities.
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| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 258 | 200 | 101 |
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Search for other papers by Thomas Hofmeier in
Current site
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Abstract
Converting polychrome illustrations in manuscripts into a woodcut format was a challenge for the pioneers of early alchemical prints, and various strategies were developed to address these issues, which encompassed both technical and content matters. An examination of the picture programs of the early sixteenth-century alchemical prints from Basel held in the Bibliotheca Philosophica Hermetica reveals various editing and printing strategies. Affected are technical representations like ovens and other devices with a long tradition, as well as series of alchemical allegories. Some of the series had a long reception including reprints in the 18th century, while others have fallen almost into oblivion – not least because woodcuts were replaced by copperplate engravings with new design possibilities.
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 258 | 200 | 101 |
| Full Text Views | 31 | 25 | 5 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 98 | 80 | 1 |