The Alchymist, in Search of the Philosopher's Stone (1771)

First exhibited in 1771, though reworked in 1795, Joseph Wright of Derby’s rather clumsily titled The Alchymist, in Search of the Philosopher's Stone, discovers Phosphorus, and prays for the successful conclusion of his operation, as was the custom of the ancient chymical astrologers is a rather delightful oil on canvas. See how he plays with light and shadow.

While alchemists are regarded as proto-scientists, their combination of experiment and religion is very much at odds with today’s hard-faced, hardline atheism which characterises much of the scientific community. In that respect, the old alchemists with their wizard-sleeves and unkempt beards were wiser than their successors. Studying nature without regard for the Creator is like examining the strange markings between the covers of a novel, without comprehending their being the written thoughts of a highly intelligent and erudite author.