Exhibition Curator and Author: Jennifer M. Rampling (Princeton University)
In medieval Europe, alchemy was a science of change. Alchemists sought to achieve extraordinary physical transformations: whether transmuting base metals into gold and silver, or creating elixirs to prolong human life. They presented alchemy as both a practical art and a philosophical tradition: one invented by ancient adepts, who disguised their secrets using allegorical language and obscure, fantastical imagery.
The “Ripley Scrolls” rank among the most spectacular products of this tradition. The oldest of these emblematic, alchemical rolls was produced in England in the late 15th century, possibly for a royal patron. Although its original provenance is unknown, the design was later attributed to the English alchemist George Ripley (d. ca. 1490), author of a famous poem, the Compound of Alchemy (1471). Over time, new generations of readers sought to decipher the Scrolls’ rich imagery, while producing copies of their own —altering the design to reflect new attitudes towards nature, experiment, and England’s alchemical past.
Princeton University Library has a long history of providing digital access to its rare and unique collections online. The online experience offers complementary opportunities, including the ability to examine the physical attributes of the material in greater detail without special equipment. It broadens the reach of in-person exhibitions such as Through a Glass Darkly by making it accessible to a global audience and ensuring that it persists online long after the gallery exhibition has closed.