In this small copy in the style of David Teniers II (artist unknown), an elderly, bearded alchemist closely reads an open book with an expression of absorbed contemplation. He is seated at his desk beside a skull and hourglass, signs of life's passing. To the left is a small furnace with alchemical glassware, arranged for distillation. A mortar and pestle, as well as a bookcase, signal both practical work and study. Like the other paintings on metal in the collection, this one was probably created in the 19th century and was made by transferring a lithograph print onto a metal plate and then painting over top of the printed image in oils. These inexpensive copies were popular souvenirs at European tourist destinations.