An Italian 1698 poem proposes a very peculiar atomism of light, between atomism and alchemy

What is it about?

The poem "La Luce" (The Light), published in 1698 by the jurisconsult Giovanni Michele Milani, a member of the literary Roman Academy of the Umoristi, lays out an atomism of light to explain all physical phenomena according to mechanical philosophy. This physics rightfully is also a metaphysics, because God ordered light into being, thus giving way to Creation. Milani's effort was encouraged by physician Francesco Redi, member of the former scientific Cimento Academy in Florence, who even provided the poem with a preface (which was anonymized in the publication). The work reveals how deeply literary academies were involved in finding a way to harmonise the new experimental philosophy with religion, and how alchemy played the middle term between the two. Among the Roman academies interested in reconciling modern science with religion, there was the Royal Academy of Christina of Sweden. The Queen, to whom the poem is dedicated, had a capital role in this luminous enterprise to which alchemy was inherent, as confirmed by new manuscript sources.

Featured Image

Photo by KARTIK GADA on Unsplash

Photo by KARTIK GADA on Unsplash

Why is it important?

In the second half of the Seventeenth century, Rome became a unique laboratory engaged in working out a possible mediation between modern science and religion. Scientific, medical and literary academies were all involved at some point to find an acceptable solution for the Court and the Curia. Alchemy, especially as iatrochemistry, was central in their investigation. The paper sheds light on a yet unstudied chapter of the history of philosophy and science, on the basis of unstudied primary sources and new manuscript evidence.

Perspectives