Physica subterranea. Specimen Beccherianum, c. 1738 by Becher, Johann Joachim
Chymisches Laboratorium oder unter-erdische Naturkündigung, c. 1680 by Becher, Johann Joachim
Joh. Joach. Becheri, D. Spirensis Germani sacrae caes. majest. consil. & med. elect. bav. Opuscula chymica rariora, c. 1719
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Das Muster eines Nützlich-Belehrten in der Person ... Johann Joachim Bechers, 1722
Enigmatic as it is, this depiction of an Alchemical Hermaphrodite serves as an allegory of prime matter, the homogeneous yet undefined substratum from which all properties emerge. The "homunculus" (literally 'little man') contained within represents a fully formed human being created through alchemical synthesis.
The image adorns the 1738 edition (the final one) of Physica Subterranea (1669) by Johann Joachim Becher (1635–1682), a work that introduced a proto-phlogiston theory and profoundly influenced early chemistry. In this text, Becher proposed that combustibility and chemical reactions were governed by a "principle of inflammability," prefiguring Georg Ernst Stahl’s later development of the phlogiston concept. Physica Subterranea marked a significant transition from Renaissance alchemy to the emerging discipline of chemistry, integrating empirical observations with speculative theories on the composition and transformation of matter.
Becher’s theoretical approach drew heavily from alchemical principles, particularly the Paracelsian trinity of salt, sulphur, and mercury, which he viewed as the fundamental constituents of all substances. He extended this framework by proposing that nitre, common salt, and quicklime encapsulated the principles governing subterranean phenomena, in line with the Renaissance belief in the earth as a dynamic, generative system. His ideas were further influenced by Athanasius Kircher’s Mundus Subterraneus (1665), which explored concepts such as metallic transmutation, spontaneous generation, and the growth of metals within the earth.
Despite his alchemical grounding, Becher pursued practical applications for his theories. He proposed the use of sugar and air in fermentation processes and demonstrated the distillation of coal to produce tar, reflecting an early chemical methodology. However, his attempt to transform the sands of the Danube River into gold ended in spectacular failure, incurring the wrath of Emperor Leopold I and damaging his reputation.
Becher’s distinction between "false alchemists," who sought gold for personal gain, and "true philosophers," who pursued knowledge, underscores his intellectual ambitions. This dual focus on alchemical traditions and proto-scientific exploration positions Becher as a pivotal figure in the evolution of natural philosophy during the early modern period.
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