Vir rubeus i mulier candida – Jungowski symbol jednoczący w sztuce malarskiej
Vir rubeus and mulier candida – the Unifying Jungian Symbol in the Art of Painting

Summary/Abstract: One of the elements of allegorical representations of the alchemical opus is the nuptials motif composed of a white woman and a red man. The motif is presented in alchemical literature both in the form of illustrations and literary descriptions. The aim of the article is to present the motif, its symbolism and interpretation: both in the context of an esthetised account of the material dimension of alchemists’ activity, as well as referring to its psychological and philosophical aspects (as seen from Jung’s and Eliade’s perspective). The primary aim of the article, however, is an attempt to show the presence of symbolism employed in alchemical representations of nuptials in European painting and answering the following questions: How can this presence be explained? How to interpret a presented motif if we consider it in isolation from the symbolism of alchemical allegories?

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