Iconography and Alchemy

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“The practice of alchemy is nothing new, after all. And it is not so different from the way you made your Michael. The iconographer takes wood and pigments and uses them to make a bridge—a bridge between the picture and the saint. The alchemist works with metals and tries to touch heaven. They are both paths to God,” Makarios explained.

From Nonna's Book of Mysteries

Emilia Serafini of Nonna's Book of Mysteries was an alchemist, painter, and iconographer who created holy images on panels of wood in the 15th century. Her faith and her understanding of alchemy were closely connected.
Some Thoughts on Emilia’s Iconography: