• Alchemical Experiment Prepared for the Marquise d'Urfé, c. 1744

Curatorial Notes:

• Jeanne de La Rochefoucauld (née Camus de Pontcarré), Marquise d’Urfé (1705-75), was an enthusiastic patron of alchemy. After the death of her husband the Marquis, she carried out experiments in a private laboratory, later described in the memoirs of Casanova. This undated recipe was presented to her by the German-born alchemist Jean Grosse, a member of the French Académie royale des sciences. Grosse outlines an alchemical experiment in nine steps, intended to produce gold.

Credit Line:

• Manuscripts Division, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library

Format:

• Manuscript

Type:

• Manuscripts, French
• Sources

Creator:

• Grosse, Jean

Author:

• Grosse, Jean

Language:

• French

Date:

• c. 1744

Extent:

• 4 leaves 18 x 23.5 cm

Abstract:

• Three page undated nine-step alchemical experiment to produce gold by German born alchemist Jean Grosse. Written in French for the Marquise d'Urfé. Also includes the cover letter for the alchemical experiment.

View in catalog:

• https://catalog.princeton.edu/catalog/99117804283506421

Subject:

• Alchemy—History—France—18th century—Sources
• Transmutation (Chemistry)—History—France—18th century—Sources
• Manuscripts, French—18th century

Identifier:

• ark:/88435/dcqf85nn61m