L’Analyse 1666

Adriaen van Ostade's 1666 painting "L’Analyse" depicts a scholarly figure engrossed in the examination of a glass flask containing a yellow liquid, a likely representation of alchemy. The figure is seated at a table littered with papers and a book, perhaps a text on alchemy, while the dimly lit, intimate setting further emphasizes the serious nature of his pursuit. The artwork showcases Ostade's expertise in genre painting, specifically depicting the daily lives and activities of ordinary people, in this case, a scientist. The painting offers a glimpse into the world of scientific inquiry and the importance of detailed observation in the 17th century.