Sixteenth Gallery

Alchemy

Alchemy. Historical artwork by the German artist Albrecht Durer (1471-1528) titled Melencolia I. It represents one of the four temperaments or humours, and it is thought that its title (ending in I) implies that Durer intended to draw the other three. Many of the artifacts seen, such as the mathematical "magic" square (upper right), balance (upper centre) and geometric shapes (far & lower left) are associated with alchemy. Alchemy was the pseudo-scientific predecessor to chemistry, which among other ideas is best known for its practitioners hunt for the Philosopher's Stone, which would impart eternal life and the ability to turn base metals into gold

© SHEILA TERRY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Martin Luther with his Family and their Christmas Tree

The Christmas Tree in History and Legend: Martin Luther's Tree. It is thought (in some quarters) that Martin Luther (and the early Lutherans) were the originators of the Christmas Tree custom. The story goes that Luther was moved by the firmament of the shining stars and wanted to create this in his own home, adorning a fir tree with twinkling candles. He stands with his wife and four children (and their pet dogs) admiring his creation. Date: circa 1533

© Williams College Oxford Programme / Mary Evans Picture Library

The Old Curiosity Shop, Holborn, london

Vintage, 19th, century, photograph, A, shop, named, The, Old, Curiosity, can, be, found, at, 13-14, Portsmouth, Street, Holborn, London, WC2A, 2ES, amongst, buildings, of, School, Economics, building, dates, back, to, sixteenth, in, an, area, known, as, Clare, Market, but, name, was, added, after, novel, released, it, thought, inspiration, for, Dickens's, description, antique, 1880's, 1890's, 1900's, Charles, Dickens, album, albumen, architecture, archival, city, country, culture, early, era, historic, historical, history, landmark, landscape, people, photo, print, scenery, structure, tourism, tourist, town, traditional, travel, urban, victorian, view, 13409627

© Mary Evans / Pump Park Photography