REVIEW: Searching for the Elixir of Life: The Mysteries and Legacies of Alchemy

Searching for the Elixir of Life: The Mysteries and Legacies is the first exhibition in the Royal College of Physicians’ new public exhibition space on Queen Street, and showcases intricate alchemical books, manuscripts and the spellbinding Ripley Scroll, the only alchemical scroll of it’s kind in Scotland, on public display for the very first time.

Featuring texts, manuscripts and artefacts from the wealth of the College’s archive, the exhibition studies the tradition of alchemy, decoding mysterious puzzles and symbols in the texts and highlighting the legacy of the practice. Codes and symbols within the books and manuscripts map out the processes alchemists believed would create the Philosopher’s stone, giving them the power to turn base metals into gold and unlocking the secret elixir of life. Alchemists’ writings and illustrations were deliberately obscure to ensure that their knowledge and ideas couldn’t fall into the wrong hands. Thus, the books and manuscripts on display contain beautiful, intricate diagrams, symbols and iconography.

One of the highlights of the exhibition is the magnificent Ripley Scroll, which has been in the College’s possession since it was donated by a Fife aristocrat in 1707, and is on display to the public for the first time. The Scroll, a 5.5 metre long, beautifully illustrated alchemical manuscript, depicts instructions on how to create the philosopher’s stone and probably dates back to the 16th century. An interactive touch screen resource complements this part of the exhibition, allowing the viewer to explore the scroll and try to decode the hidden instructions that lead to the creation of the Philosopher’s Stone. Highlighting particular symbols and texts, including dragons, suns, angels and toads, the interactive display provides a fascinating insight into the intricacies of the scroll. Fans of the Harry Potter series will enjoy finding familiar images and terminology throughout the exhibition, and J.K. Rowling studied this very scroll at the College.

The manuscripts on display feature two hand drawn copies of an alchemical wheel incorporating the four elements, the seasons and the signs of the zodiac. The exhibition also connects symbols and processes across different texts and manuscripts, even displaying some of the more mysterious alchemical ingredients, including ‘Dragon’s Blood’. A rare first edition of Splendor Solis dating back to 1598, also on display, contains beautiful hand coloured illustrations of alchemical processes.

The new exhibition space is part of a major redevelopment of the College on Queen Street and is an exciting new attraction in the City Centre. The College plans to hold two public exhibitions each year, while its varied programme of events, including those to complement the exhibition, provide another reason to visit. ‘Searching for the Elixir of Life’ is free to attend and will run until May 2019.

The exhibition is a fascinating insight into the tradition and practice of alchemy in Scotland and beyond, and tells the story of the legacy of alchemy in wider scientific practice. The beautiful original texts and insightful interactive resource ensure that the exhibition has wide-ranging appeal. It is exciting to glimpse the treasures of the College’s archive, and to look forward to more public exhibitions in the future. Not to be missed!