Tina Asmussen: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2019

NameMs Tina Asmussen
Address
Mülhauserstrasse 48
4056 Basel
SWITZERLAND
DepartmentHumanities, Social and Political Sciences
RelationshipLecturer

NumberTitleECTSHoursLecturers
851-0158-17LPractical Alchemy, 1500-1700 Restricted registration - show details
Number of participants limited to 30.
3 credits2ST. Asmussen
AbstractAlchemy in the early modern period encompassed much more than the desire for gold. The seminar explores the topic of alchemy from its practical side. It addresses the knowledge of natural substances and their properties. Our main focus is directed to questions of actors, places and practices of alchemical knowledge as well as the economic promises associated with these practices.
ObjectiveThe seminar provides insight into the broad spectrum of alchemical literature from about 1500-1750. Further the important contribution of vernacular and craft knowledge to the development of empirical sciences will be discussed. Participants are expected to read original sources in German, French and English.
ContentThroughout the Late Middle Ages and Early Modern Period alchemy meant both natural philosophy and practical knowledge of natural substances and their properties. Some alchemists turned more to the philosophical and mystical side, others to the practical, and again others combined both. From the 16th century practical alchemy received particular attention at the courts and in the major European trading cities. This interest in alchemy became evident on the book market as well. Books of mining and metallurgy, books for smelting, pigment production or recipe books and “Kräuterbücher” were widely spread. Sometimes they underwent several editions. In addition to the printed books, a large number of manuscripts and recipe collections circulated at courts and in urban households. In the seminar we will turn towards the mysterious figure of the alchemist and shed light on the complex questions of who he was and what it meant to be an alchemist. Further we examine the broad spectrum of alchemical knowledge and its various domains of application. Next to this interest in the forms of alchemical epistemology we shed light on the business of alchemy: who commissioned alchemical knowledge? What kind of promises and desires motivated alchemical contracts and what risks were involved.