Prospero in Secret Studies - from The Tempest 

Edmund Dulac created this illustration of Prospero around 1908, likely using watercolor and ink on paper. The alchemical tools, such as retorts and alembics, aren't just props; they reflect a real investment of labor and skill. Dulac's choice of medium is interesting: watercolor, often associated with preparatory sketches, here becomes the final product. This hints at a shift in status, a move away from traditional oil painting towards a more immediate form of expression. It also suggests that the materials themselves are part of the story. The intense detail and layered washes speak to a slow, deliberate process. There’s a meticulousness to the rendering, echoing the precision of scientific inquiry that Prospero embodies. We see the artist carefully building up tones, using the translucency of watercolor to create depth and atmosphere. Ultimately, Dulac's Prospero invites us to consider the convergence of art, craft, science, and magic. It challenges us to think about how materials, labor, and the pursuit of knowledge intertwine.