3-057-258 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

The peacock's tail, 1582. In a crowned alchemical flask between gold columns is a peacock with its tail fully fanned out, representing the stage in the alchemical process when the substance breaks out into many colours. Above, a woman rides a chariot pulled by two birds. Historiated border with groups of figures feasting, reading, playing musical instruments, drinking wine and dancing. To the right a man and woman sit with their arms around each other. To the left couple walk together through the trees, while beyond them naked people bathe in a river. The stages of the alchemical process were attributed various colours; black, white and red being the main three. The stage of the peacock's tail, or the rainbow, was believed to occur before the white elixir was produced. Illustration of the Fourth Treatise. From "Splendor solis" (The Splendour of the sun).