"An Alchemist Blowing the Fire of a Furnace." An Indian Ink Drawing by Robert Lenkiewicz, apparently after a woodcut from 1500. Lenkiewicz's drawing is undated, but was probably executed in the 1970s.
Drawn in black Indian ink on a sheet of white paper. The size of the image and immediate surrounds (as shown) is approx. 8 1/2 inches high x 5 inches wide. The size of the whole sheet of which this is a part is 15 inches high x 10 3/4 inches wide. The work is titled underneath "An Alchemist Blowing the Fire of a Furnace: From a woodcut. Sobrick, 1500" in Lenkiewicz's handwriting. Robert Oscar Lenkiewicz (1941 - 2002) was a renowned British artist, Hermeticist, and student of the alchemical arts, who was also well-known as an eccentric and book-collector. He was a regular visitor to the British Library and the British Museum, where he made careful sketches based on the illustrations and diagrams that were relevant to his studies that he found in rare alchemical manuscripts and books. This is one such drawing. It was kept by Lenkiewicz in a large folio entitled "On Alchemical Apparatus," and was evidently related to his personal researches into the subject, rather than being a "finished artwork" that was intended for exhibition or sale. As such it is not signed, although we do provide a guarantee and certificate of authenticity. There are two small holes punched in the extreme left margin, and a little light creasing and toning at the edges, one small ink smudge which seems to preserve a part of Lenkiewicz's palm or finger print! Otherwise clean, VG condition. Please note that what looks like toning in the lower left quadrant is an artefact of the camera. The dawing will be sent rolled in a poster tube. Please note that it cannot be sent media mail so please select the priority mail option. Additional shipping may be requested dependent on destination. Item #70459
Price: $485.00