Ortolanus

Ortolanus (fl. 1358), also known as Hortulanus was a fourteenth century alchemist. Little information exists about his life and identity. He is best known for his influential commentary on The Emerald Tablet.

Identity

The true identity of Ortolanus is unknown. His works have been attributed to Johannes de Garlandia (philologist) (fl. 1205-1255), and Jakob Ortlein of Nördlingen, who may have been a Dominican monk.^[1] He has also been given the names Martin Ortolan, or Lortholain.

The preface of his famous commentary gives a hint to his identity: "I Hortulanus, so called from the Gardens bordering upon the sea coast, wrapped in a Iacobin skinne, unworthy to be called a Disciple of Philosophie,..."

Works

Four alchemical works are ascribed to Ortolanus:

Practica vera alchemica. This work may have been composed in Paris in 1358. It was completed in 1386 by the English alchemist John Dombelay.^[2]

Rosarius minor. Can be found in the Mellon Collection, Yale University Library MS. 5.

Textus alkimie.

Liber super textum Hermetis or Commentary on the emerald tablet of Hermes. Composed before 1325, this book was first published in 1541 in the alchemimcal compilation In hoc volumine de alchemia continentur hæc.^[3] It was printed again in 1545. A 1560 edition appeared under the name Compendium alchimiae and was attributed to Johannes de Garlandia (philologist). Another edition followed in 1571.^[4]

The text is composed of two parts. The first part discusses practical operations related to the quintessence. The second part is an influential commentary that appeared alongside most early modern printings of the Emerald Tablet. Ortolanus interpreted the text of the Emerald Tablet as an allegorical physico-chemical recipe for the Philosopher's Stone.^[5]

References