Verschillende destilleerapparaten 1730 - 1731

Bernard Picart created this print titled "Verschillende destilleerapparaten", or "Different Distillation Devices," at an unknown date. It offers a glimpse into the world of early scientific exploration during the Enlightenment. During this time, experiment and observation were key to understanding the natural world. Picart, a French engraver, provides us with detailed images of the tools used in alchemy and early chemistry. These weren't just instruments; they were pathways to knowledge, tools for transforming substances and, metaphorically, transforming understanding. But who had access to this knowledge? The world of science, like many fields, was dominated by men of a certain class and education. This print hints at the hidden labor and knowledge of those often unacknowledged: the assistants, servants, and women who may have played roles in these experiments. As you look at the delicate lines of the engraving, consider the complex social structures that shaped the pursuit of knowledge. The pursuit of knowledge, then and now, is always a story of who gets to ask the questions.