The Invention of Distillation
Classification
Drawing
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Museum purchase through gift of various donors
Accession Number
1901-39-305
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Jan van der Straet, known as Stradanus (1523–1605), was a Flemish artist who spent much of his career in Italy, particularly at the Medici court in Florence. Renowned for his intricate drawings and designs for prints, he captured the spirit of Renaissance innovation in series like *Nova Reperta* ("New Discoveries"). *The Invention of Distillation*, created before 1590, likely belongs to this tradition, depicting a pivotal technological breakthrough. Distillation, using apparatuses like the alembic, revolutionized medicine, perfumery, and alchemy during the 16th century, transforming liquids in...