Woodcut, Switzerland, 1593. In Greek mythology, Hermaphroditus (the son of Hermes and Aphrodite) was bathing in a fountain when he was united with the nymph Salmacis. The two became a single being, both male and female. In Alchemy, this pairing of opposites symbolizes the mystical Philosopher’s stone, or Rebis, upon which stands this androgynous King of Philosophy. The Alchemist is also the symbolic child of the Moon and the Sun. The Pelican is depicted, which was thought to feed its young with the blood of its own breast (the Alchemical concept of self-regeneration). Serpents were associated with Mercury, or Quicksilver.

A limited edition (200) linoleum block print.

After a woodcut France, 1522. The development of distillation led to many experiments, including the production of AquaVita from wine.

A limited edition (200) linoleum block print.

Woodcuts in Eygentliche Beschreybung aller Stände auf Erden, the Book of Trades, by Jost Amman, Frankfurt, 1568.

Images restored by redrawing and printed by hand in open editions from zinc etched plates. Each sold individually.

After a woodcut, England, 1608. Since unemployment was illegal, the night watchman, or belman, along with the ratcatcher, represented the lowest level of English society. With his heavy pike, lantern, bell, and dog, he made his rounds of the city and called the hours. This is the title page illustration from Thomas Dekker’s book that describes various kinds of villains, rogues, and vagabonds, and includes a glossary of underworld slang terms, “Bringing to Light the Most Notorious Villanies that are Now Practised in the Kingdome. Profitable for Gentlemen, Lawyers, Merchants, Cittizens, Farmers, Masters of Householdes, and All Sorts of Seruants to Mark, and Delightfull for All Men to Reade.”

A limited edition (200) linoleum block print

After a woodcut from the Ship of Fools, Basel, 1494.

Open edition engraving

After an engraving by the anonymous Housebook Master from the Children of Jupiter page, Germany, circa 1490.

Limited edition (250) linoleum block print. All 5 ink colors available.

After a woodcut, possibly by Albrecht Durer, from Sebastian Brandt’sNarrenschiff, Ship of Fools, Basel, 1494.

Limited edition (250) linoleum block print

After a woodcut from Das Volksbuch von der schönen Melusine, Germany, 1474.

Limited edition (250) linoleum block print

After a woodcut in the 1494 Lubeck Bible. Stone masons under the direction of an architect erect the Tower of Babel in 15th century style.

Limited edition (200) linoleum block print

After a woodcut, Germany, 16th Century. I enjoy speculating on why the old man appears to be angry.

Limited edition (250) screen print from a hand cut stencil

After a woodcut in Eygentliche Beschreybung aller Stände auf Erden, the Book of Trades, by Jost Amman, Frankfurt, 1568.

Limited edition (100) screen print from a hand-cut stencil. Only brown ink available.

Court jesters were funny, keen and witty.
Their antics were satirized in Til Eulenspiegel.

Limited edition serigraph from a hand-cut stencil after a woodcut by Heinrich Vogtherr (the younger), aka Heinricus Satrapitanus, Gotha, 1540. Black ink only.

Open edition 19th Century antique engraving. Black ink only.

After a woodcut, England, 16th Century.

Limited edition (200) linoleum block print

After a woodcut by Jost Amman, Framkfurt, 1568.
My Dear Kepler: What would you say of the learned here, who, replete with the pertinacity of the asp, have steadfastly refused to cast a glance through the telescope? What shall we make of all this? Shall we laugh or shall we cry? –Galileo Galilei

Open edition engraving. Black or blue ink only.

(from diagnosis to cure) After woodcuts in Teutsch Kalendar, Ulm 1498

Open edition digital images

A traditional theory of physiology in which the state of health--and by extension the state of mind, or character--depended upon a balance among the four elemental fluids: blood, yellow bile, phlegm, and black bile. These were closely allied with the four elements (air, fire, water, and earth). The Humours gave off vapors which ascended to the brain; an individual's personal characteristics (physical, mental, moral) were explained by his or her temperament. The perfect temperament resulted when no one humour dominated.

Phlegmatic: Phlegm, Water, Cold & Moist, Dull (also Pale & Cowardly)
Sanguine: Blood, Air, Hot & Moist, Amorous (also Happy & Generous)
Choleric: Yellow Bile, Fire, Hot & Dry, Violent (also Vengeful)
Melancholy: Black Bile, Earth, Cold & Dry, Gluttonous (also Lazy & Sentimental)

Open edition digital images

Yellow Bile, Fire, Hot & Dry, Violent (also Vengeful)

Open edition digital images

Black Bile, Earth, Cold & Dry, Gluttonous (also Lazy & Sentimental)

Open edition digital images

Phlegm, Water, Cold & Moist, Dull (also Pale & Cowardly)

Open edition digital images

Blood, Air, Hot & Moist, Amorous (also Happy & Generous)

Open edition digital images

The Medieval Physician usually diagnosed from a sample of urine, which he sniffed and tasted for sugar. In case of a gross infection he examined the urine for sediment. He inquired about the patient’s diet and stool, and then delivered a discourse on the disease. The Physician was sometimes referred to as the "Piss-Prophet".

Open edition digital images

The popularity of bloodletting in the Renaissance followed the ideas of Galen. There were two key concepts. The first was that blood was created and then used up, it did not circulate and so it could 'stagnate' in the extremities. The second was that humoural balance was the basis of illness or health. Galen believed that blood was the dominant humour and the one in most need of control. In order to balance the humours, a physician would either remove 'excess' blood (plethora) from the patient or give them an emetic (to induce vomiting) or diuretic (to induce urination). Even after the humoral system fell into disuse, the practice was continued by surgeons and barber-surgeons. Though the bloodletting was often recommended by physicians, it was carried out by barbers. This division of labour led to the distinction between physicians and surgeons. The barbershop's red-and-whitestriped pole, still in use today, is derived from this practice: the red represents the blood being drawn, the white represents the tourniquet used, and the pole itself represents the stick squeezed in the patient's hand to dilate the veins. Bloodletting was used to 'treat' a wide range of diseases, becoming a standard treatment for almost every ailment, and was practiced prophylactically as well as therapeutically.

Open edition digital images

After a woodcut in De Conceptu et Generationi by Jost Amman, Frankfurt, 1587. Midwives assist the delivery while astologers prepare the child’s chart.

A limited edition (250) screen print from a hand-cut stencil.

After a woodcut, Westminster, 1483.
The philosopher teaches the king strategic thinking.

Limited edition (200) linoleum block print.

Two of Balls (printing press), Two of Books (bookbinders), Two of Cups (musicians), Two of Vases (dancers).
After woodcuts by Jost Amman, Germany, circa 1570.

Images restored by redrawing and printed by hand in open editions from zinc etched plates. Each sold individually.

After a woodcut, Paris, 16th Century.
The interior of the printing shop of Jodocus Ascensius Badius, active from 1503to 1535, is depicted. The original print of the press was inscribed “PrelumAscensius” but since my press is the “Fenix Press” I changed it.

A limited edition (100) screen print from a hand-cut stencil.

After a woodcut by Michael Wolgemut, Nuremberg, 1491.
Banquets have long been symbolic displays of social propriety and etiquette ruled by tradition. Here, the Prince, dines alone at his private board; served by thehighly trained carver, he observes the procession and fanfare announcing the nextcourse, or remove. Knives, in the possession of the carver and the Prince, wereused only by the highest ranking males; everyone else was expected to use fingersand spoons only. Any leftover food was traditionally given away to the needy.

Image restored by redrawing and printed by hand in an open edition from a zinc etched plate.

After an engraving designed by Peter Bruegel, executed by Philippe Galle, and published by Hieronymus Cock in Antwerp, 1558.
The desperate alchemist is encouraged by folly (a figure wearing a fool's cap fans the flames of madness) toward impossible goals. His beliefs are shown by thescholar at the lectern to be "all rubbish" ("Alghe Mist"). His wife and children are hungry and penniless. The alchemist's real future is depicted outside the window of time as he and his family are received at the poorhouse.

Open edition replica print. Black ink only.

After a woodcut in Kuchenmeisterei, Augsburg, 1507.
The King’s chef is tasting the stew in this “state of the art” medieval kitchen. The oven is constructed of bricks with a large metal plate covering the top. To brown the fowls on the spit, pieces of charcoal have been placed beneath them. Temperature control comes from dousing with a pitcher of water. The woman is forming dough into round loaves which are placed in the oven with paddles. Sausages are hung overhead to cure. The rotisserie is semi-automatic: rising heat turns metal plates which are geared to the spit. Chefs were able to produce remarkably fanciful constructions of pasteries and vegetables to complement the meats. Many of Europe’s master chefs trace their ancestry to royalty; the King’s health was assured by his relations tasting the food. The actual linoleum block (not a print) is illustrated

Limited edition (200) linoleum block print.

After a woodcut in De Octo Partibus Orationis, Ulm, 1475-1480.

Limited edition (250) linoleum block print.

After a woodcut, Toledo, 1510.

Limited edition (200) linoleum block print.

After a woodcut, England, 1590.

Limited edition (200) linoleum block print.

After a woodcut in Terence's Comoediae published by Johanes Trechsel in Lyons, 1493.
The aediles are judges, but their exact role is disputed: they may have judged the performance's quality or they may have been on the lookout for politically incorrect sentiments. They certainly don't seem pre-occupied with morality, as the theater is depicted above a brothel (fornices literally translates as "arches"). Was the theater district ever thus? The stage itself is the procoenium.

Image restored by redrawing and digitally printed in an open edition. Available in black ink only.

After a woodcut, Paris, 1514.

Limited edition (200) linoleum block print.

After a woodcut from Le Livre des ruraulx prouffitz du labour des champs, by Pierre de Crescens, Jean Bonhomme, publisher, Paris, 1486.

Limited edition (250) linoleum block print.

After a woodcut in Teutsch Kalendar, Ulm, 1498.

Limited edition linoleum block print.

After a woodcut in Das Buch von Pflantzung by Petrus de Crescentiis, Strassburg,1512.

Limited edition (200) linoleum block print.