Flemish Mannerist painter

Early 17th century

Portrait of Morieno Romano (Christian alchemist who lived in the 7th century)

Oil on panel

41 x 33 cm

In antique frame 51 x 43 cm

The work belongs to a series of three paintings, together with portraits of the alchemists Hermes Trismegistus (link) and Geber (link).

The painting depicts an alchemist, an ancient figure who has always been shrouded in fascination and mystery due to his perfect blend of science and esotericism, who sought to achieve omniscience, or the highest level of knowledge in all fields of learning. Among the great goals of alchemy was the search for the elixir of eternal life or the transformation of base metals into gold, a practice that was believed to be achievable through the “philosopher's stone.”

The alchemist, with his secret practices and knowledge, is therefore a figure described as straddling the line between scholar and magician, capable of extraordinary transformations, well represented here by a Mannerist painter, presumably Flemish, active between the 16th and 17th centuries.

In our case, it is, in particular, the portrait of Morieno Romano, one of the great alchemists of history, a legendary Christian hermit who lived at the end of the 7th century, presumably in the mountains near Jerusalem, considered the heir to the knowledge of Hermes Trismegistus.

His alchemical treatise entitled “Liber de Compositione Alchimiae” is famous, containing a dialogue between Morieno and the Arab prince Khalid Ibn Yazid, later printed in Paris in 1559 under the title “De Transfiguratione Metallorum.” This text marks the beginning of Western studies on alchemy, which was previously largely unknown in Central Europe.

Legend has it that Morieno stole the secret of the Philosopher's Stone from Prince Khalid, probably a fictional story to demonstrate the superiority of Christian scholars over Muslim scholars in the field of alchemy.

The alchemist, dressed in a dark tunic and a long beard, holds a rolled-up parchment in his hand, symbolizing his relentless search for truth and wisdom, a journey that winds through the mysteries of the universe, on which we can only imagine alchemical symbols and secret formulas are written.

He is depicted as a mature man with an intense, focused gaze, as if he were deciphering an ancient mystery.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The painting is sold complete with an antique frame and comes with a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic card.

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