Ivo Purš – Vladimír Karpenko:
Alchemy in the Czech Lands IV. Alchemical Research after the Reign of Rudolf II and During the Post-White Mountain Period

Abstract

After the Thirty Years’ War, the last development of alchemy continued the tradition of scientific research from the time of Rudolf II, with a number of personalities who either left Bohemia for emigration, or continued their work in recatholicized Bohemia, or worked at the imperial court in Vienna. Daniel Stolcius, the author of two books of alchemical emblems, and an alchemical poem obviously dealing with aurum potabile, was one of the important exiles. Another emigré was Jan Amos Komenský, who was interested in alchemy, perpetual motion, and further problems of science. Marcus Marci, a physician, worked in Bohemia and his interests included physics and alchemy. He was the last owner of Voynich manuscript in this country. At that time, keen interest in alchemy continued in the courts of a number of local noblemen, and the Hapsburg imperial court was well-known for their interest in alchemy, too. Two eminent alchemists worked there directly, namely Johann Konrad Richthausen and Johann Wenzel Seiler, who both have achieved the exceptional importance and renown. Both performed spectacular transmutations, but they were also experts in mining, assaying, and coinage and held important offices in the area. The last representative of alchemy in Bohemia was Kryštof Bergner, a versatile chemist who was also involved in the construction of hard coal stoves.

Language: czech

Keywords: history of alchemy; medicine; emblematics; Stolcius; Comenius; Marci; Richthausen; Seiler; Bergner