"The Alchemist" from The Songs of Béranger 1829

"The Alchemist" is a wood engraving by French artist Alfred Johannot, dating back to 1829. This print depicts an elderly man, likely an alchemist, hunched over a table in a dimly lit room, surrounded by various tools and a human skull. The scene is enclosed in an oval frame surrounded by symbolic imagery, including an eagle, a lyre, and a musical score. These symbols, combined with the melancholic depiction of the alchemist, suggest a theme of mortality and the search for knowledge. This piece showcases Johannot's mastery of detail and his ability to evoke a sense of mystery and intrigue. The work is currently part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.