Wikipedia:Featured picture candidates/Alchemist's Laboratory

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[edit] Alchemist's laboratory

We've all seen the stereotypical alchemist's lab (or maybe not?).. but how about a 16th century illustration of an actual one? This is from Heinrich Khunrath's most famous work, Amphitheater of Eternal Wisdom, painted by Hans Vredeman de Vries, c. 1595. The image conveys the well-known connection alchemists had between spiritual and physical research. The image is used in Alchemy. — ₀₉₁₈^BRIAN • 2006-03-29 00:27

• Nominate and support. - BRIAN0918 00:27, 29 March 2006 (UTC)
• Support the modified version--K.C. Tang 00:43, 29 March 2006 (UTC)
• Support either version. The original is too dark; the modified is too bright. But it's still an interesting illutration, which makes a valuable contribution, in either case. The writing is especially intriguing -- it'd be great to get some more of that translated. bcasterline t 01:15, 29 March 2006 (UTC)
• I've uploaded what I think is a "juuust right" version. — ₀₉₁₈^BRIAN • 2006-03-29 01:24
• Oppose The image exposure (the first version too bright, the second dark almost to the point of being unrecognisable) is certainly an issue, although this may be resolvable. More problematic is the image content: The miniscule and crowded table in the centre shows a small number of tools, and leaves the viewer to guess their significance. The image conveys very little about the alchemists approach or outlook. Rather it seems to be an exercise in interior perspective. --Philopedia 01:33, 29 March 2006 (UTC)
  • Actually, the whole thing is explained in the text that surrounds the entire image (not shown in the image, but on the linked page). But, the text is in Latin. There are also Latin phrases in the image which explain the contents. — ₀₉₁₈^BRIAN • 2006-03-29 01:35
  • I disagree. I think it says quite a bit about alchemists' approach and outlook, especially, as brian0918 said, with regards to the mixture of science and mysticism. Note that I've improved and expanded some of the translations, which make that connection more explicit. bcasterline t 02:38, 29 March 2006 (UTC)
• Support brian0918 version. -Ravedave 01:51, 29 March 2006 (UTC)
• Support I see historical relevance here, as alluded to in the nomination. I would hope that someone knowledgeable about the subject would write a paragraph in an article, maybe Heinrich Khunrath, explaining the image (addressing Philopedia's concerns). Look at the images full size before deciding on a version. I prefer the original, as the edits lose color and texture, most noticeably in the floor. ~MDD4696 02:28, 29 March 2006 (UTC)
• Comment: it's a great image, but I think the version with the text would be more appropriate. In any case, the text is poorly cropped out in this version; you can see the edges of it around the circle. I won't support any of these versions, but I would enthusiastically support it with the text or I would reluctantly support a better-cropped version.--ragesoss 03:02, 29 March 2006 (UTC)
  • The problem with the version with text is that the illustration is much smaller, and all just to gain some Latin words that really don't add to the image (unless this were the Latin Wikipedia). I was waiting for someone to complain about the cropping, so I'll go about fixing it now. — ₀₉₁₈^BRIAN • 2006-03-29 04:32
• Support now (Brian's edit). I didn't realize the text version was so small.--ragesoss 05:01, 29 March 2006 (UTC)
• Oppose Too dark Leidiot 03:13, 29 March 2006 (UTC)
  • Which version is too dark, and which is too light? — ₀₉₁₈^BRIAN • 2006-03-29 04:25
• Support Brian's edit. That "Festina Lente" on one of the jars is just great! That could be adhered to here on FPC, sometimes, too... --Janke | Talk 06:30, 29 March 2006 (UTC)
• Support Brian's version. Nice find, great repro.--Eloquence* 07:33, 29 March 2006 (UTC)
• Support Brian's edit What a fantastic nomination! Different and extremely interesting, attractive and informative all at the same time. ~ Veledan • Talk 10:21, 29 March 2006 (UTC)
• Support Old illustration seems to have higher rates of success than photographies at FPC these days XD Circeus 16:16, 29 March 2006 (UTC)
  • Comment I think that's only true because the many nominations that fall far short of the FP criteria tend not to feature more obscure/academic media like old woodcuts. In real numbers, only 4 pics in the last 50 FPs promoted have been 'old' and the ratio is much lower if you look back further. Personally I'm pleased as Punch that we have a couple of experienced editors sifting through old PD sources to find us these splendid plates (and I know you are too Circeus, don't think I misunderstood you) ~ Veledan • Talk 17:02, 29 March 2006 (UTC)
• Support (Brian's edit) Judging from the University of Wisconsin pages, the image itself (rather, the book it is from) is be notable. More detail about it would certainly make for an interesting article. It would be nice to know, roughly, what the text around the image says. –Joke 16:52, 29 March 2006 (UTC)
• Support Original or Brian's edit or Original less text cropping. A wonderful period image of very high quality. I can't think of a better illustration for this topic. – Meersan 19:43, 29 March 2006 (UTC)
• Support. ooh. double, double, toil and trouble :) pschemp | talk 06:01, 2 April 2006 (UTC)
  • Comment. Very important historical subject. They did invent modern science, perhaps based on experimental traditions from Egypt. David R. Ingham 06:04, 7 April 2006 (UTC)

Promoted Image:Alchemist's Laboratory, Heinrich Khunrath, Amphitheatrum sapientiae aeternae, 1595 3.jpg --PS2pcGAMER (talk) 23:16, 12 April 2006 (UTC)